Yongdong Zhou, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Research,
Ophthalmology and Neuroscience  
 

Education
2007-2009: Postdoctoral Fellow, LSU Health Sciences Center
1996-2001: PhD, Sichuan University , Chengdu, China
1985-1990: MD, Nantong Medical College, Jiangsu, China 

Bio
2009 - present: Assistant Professor Research, Ophthalmology & Neuroscience; Neuroscience Center, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
2001-2007: Associate Professor & Chairman;  Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong Medical College, China
1990-1996: Attending; Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong Medical College.

Website

http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/neuroscience/docs/
Yongdong Zhou 21st NS Retreat R.pdf

Current Research

The Effect of Lipids on Laser Induced Choroidal Neovascularization Model Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among the elderly in most industrialized nations. Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) is the hallmark of the exudative form of AMD, in which new vessels from the choroidal vasculature penetrate Bruch's membrane and extend into the subretinal space or into the plane of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). CNV may lead to RPE detachment, subretinal or intraretinal hemorrhage, or fibrovascular scarring and accounts for the majority of vision loss associated with AMD. The role of immunity and  inflammation in AMD pathogenesis has been shown in recent research, where some lipids have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory in vitro and in vivo effects, and part of the signaling pathways have been described. Thus, we hypothesized an inhibitory role by these lipids on CNV (see paradigm below). We are currently focusing on the assessment of several compounds.  Laser induced CNV on mouse retina was established as our model system to address these questions. Our techniques include fundus fluorescence angiograghy, optical coherence tomography, choroidal-scleral flatmounts with immunolocalization of key molecular labels, and paraffin sections, histochemisty, and confocal imaging analysis to grade CNV-induced blood leakage, measure CNV volumes. Our goal is to describe which signaling pathways are involved in this debilitating retinal disease. The results from our study will provide insights for therapeutic interventions in CNV associated with AMD.

 

Research Interests and Goals

Keywords:
retinal diseases, such as AMD, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy. 

We will identify the impact of lipids on these diseases with the use of animal models and to describe underlying mechanisms. This information will then be translated from “the bench” to the patient's “bedside”.

Awards/Prizes
2001-2007: The Outstanding Young Medical Experts award , Nantong, China
2002-2006: The Development of Sciences & Technology Prize, Nantong, China
2006: The Development of Sciences & Technology Prize, Jiangsu Province, China
2002: The Outstanding Young Professionals award, Jiangsu Province, China
2001-2006: The Achievements in Sciences & Technology Prize, Nantong, China

Major Professional Societies/Committees
2003-2008: Member, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
2001-2008: Vice-chairman of Ophthalmological Committee of Nantong City Member of Standing Committee, Ophthalmological Society of Jiangsu Province

Key Recent Papers

Zhou, Y., Sheets, K.G., Knott, E.J., Regan, C.E. Jr., Tuo, J., Chan, C.C., Gordon, W.C., Bazan, N.G. Cellular and 3D Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment During the Initiation and Progression of Retinal Degeneration in the Ccl2/Cx3cr1-deficient Mouse. Exp. Eye Res. 2011 93:636-648 doi:10.1016/j.exer.2011.07.017

ZHOU, T., FAN, H.  and ZHOU, Y. Power setting of transpupillary thermotherapy for patients with choroidal neovascularization. Academic Report of Nantong Medical School, (2008) 2:101-103

ZHOU, Y., ZHOU,T.  and FAN, H. Transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal neovascularization in patients with age-related macular degeneration. International Journal of Ophthalmology. (2006)5:961-963

ZHOU, Y.,  YAN, M.  and ZHANG, J. The response of bFGF、FGFR1、Bcl-2 and caspase3 to visible light in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells. Chin J Ophthalmol;(2003) 39:655-659

ZHOU, Y., YAN, M.  and ZHANG, J. The effect of DEVD-CHO and YVAD-cmK on apoptosis induced by visible light on cultured human RPE cells. Chin Ophthal Res, (2003) 21:344-346

LIU, J., JING, H., ZHANG, W, ZHOU, Y., LIAO, S.,  YANG, L. and HUANG, Q. The relation between polymorphsim in the gene for angiotensin converting enzyme and diabetic retinopathy. Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, (1999)15:37-38

 ZHOU, Y., YAN, M.,  and ZHANG, J. The effect of visible light on apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells.Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, (2002) 18:227-230

Funding

“The Program for Mentoring  in Sciences & Technology (Ophthalmology)”
Director of the Program: Yongdong Zhou, MD, Ph.D.
Agency: Bureau of Science and Technology of Nantong city, Nantong, China
Period: 09/30/2001-09/30/2007

“The study on treatment of age related macular degeneration”
Principle Investigator: Yongdong Zhou, MD, Ph.D.
Agency: Bureau of Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province, China. (No. S2004)
Period: 10/30/2001-10/30/2004

“The study on transplanting BDNF gene transfectioned RPE under the retina of RP mouse.”
Principle Investigator: Yongdong Zhou, MD, Ph.D.
Agency: Bureau of Science and Technology of Nantong city, Jiangsu, China (No. 04017)
Period: 09/30/2005-09/30/2007