Current Projects

To identify nutrients from supplement or foods that can diminish risk for age-related cataract and maculopathy.
Determination of the intake levels from supplements or food sources and duration of intake for specific nutrients as a means to diminish risk for age-related cataract and maculopathy.
To identify other behavioral or physical parameters, i.e., obesity, insulinemia, which are related to risk for cataract and age-related macular degeneration.
To determine whether oxidized proteins are more readily ubiquitinated than native proteins.
Identification of proteins that are most susceptible to oxidation and ubiquitination in lens and retina.
To identify rate-limiting enzymes in the ubiquitin proteolytic pathway of lens and retina models.
Modeling age- or oxidation-related stress in cell culture and animal experiments.
To examine whether nutritional factors alleviate age- or oxidation-related stress induced damage.
To identify the mechanisms and roles of specific genes and/or proteins by which calorie restricted diets extend youthful function.
Correlation of ubiquitin-dependent protein turnover and control of cell proliferation and differentiation.

Learn More

For more information about the Nutrition and Vision Research Laboratory, please visit the USDA, Agricultural Research Service.

Out of Sight
Vision loss is an inevitable part of aging. What you eat could help forestall it.

A Link Between Carbohydrate Quality and Vision Loss is Strengthened by New Data

Low Carbs Better for Eyesight
Limiting refined carbohydrates may stall age-related macular degeneration.

Study: Some High-Sugar Foods Linked To Vision Loss
A recent study by Tufts nutrition researchers found that the development of age-related macular degeneration may be tied to over consumption of certain carbohydrates.