Donna Peters
Credentials: Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Department
Position title: Role of extracellular matrix and integrin signaling in human eye
Email: dmpeter2@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-4626
Address:
6590 Medical Sciences Center
1300 University Ave
Madison, WI 53706
LAB WEBSITE:
https://pathology.wisc.edu/staff/peters-donna/
FOCUS GROUPS:
Cell Adhesion & Cytoskeleton
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION:
My laboratory is interested in understanding what types of cell-matrix interactions occur in the anterior chamber of the human eye and the types of signaling events they control. Recent studies in my laboratory have shown that interactions with the extracellular matrix protein called fibronectin help modulate the levels of intraocular pressure in the human eye and the movement of fluid through the anterior chamber. We have identified the domain in fibronectin that regulates intraocular pressure and at least two signaling molecules whose function is controlled by this domain. We are currently looking for the receptor that interacts with this domain and are characterizing the components of the signaling pathways as well as the biological processes governed by these signaling events. Our long-term goal is to identify potential extracellular and intracellular targets that can be used to control glaucoma via genetic approaches such as gene therapy.