Vol. 18, No. 8Oct. 22, 1998

Grant to fund biological sciences' eye research

Melinda K. Duncan, assistant professor of biological sciences, receives a check for eye research from James A. Pletz, grand commander of Knights Templar in Delaware. Also shown in the photo (from left to right) are: Daniel D. Carson, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences; Donald D. Thomas, grand recorder; Herbert P. Fulmer, grand master of Masons; C. Granville McVey, grand treasurer; and Warren F. Schueler, senior past grand master and chair of the Delaware Eye Foundation Committee.

A $20,000 grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation is helping to fund eye research at the University of Delaware-the first time one of these competitive grants has been awarded in the state.

Melinda K. Duncan, biological sciences, will use the funds to study the function of the Pax-6 gene, the cause of the genetic abnormality aniridia-an eye condition in which children are born without irises. Without an iris, the pupil is unable to close making it impossible for the eye to control incoming light.

Other potentially blinding complications such as cloudy corneas, retinal detachments, glaucoma and cataracts also may be part of the condition.

Duncan's research will use genetically altered mice to investigate how mutant forms of the Pax-6 protein produce cataracts. "The results may tell us which aniridia patients could be helped by gene therapy and will teach us more about how our eyes form and develop," she said.

"It was recently discovered that a mutation in Pax-6, the gene responsible for human aniridia, will produce developmental disorders in the eyes of mice, rats, dogs and fruit flies. This means that human aniridia can be studied using animals," Duncan explained.

"In humans, mice and rats, aniridia is a semi-dominant disease. That means that a single mutated copy of the Pax-6 gene can cause aniridia. The goal of the proposal funded by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, 'The Pathogenesis of Aniridia Associated Cataract,' is to find out why aniridia is a semi-dominant disease," she said.

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation, a Masonic charity, was founded in 1956 for the purpose of providing assistance to those who need surgery to prevent loss of sight and are unable to pay. Additionally, the foundation provides funds for research in curing eye disease.

-Beth Thomas