Ocular Aging and Trauma Laboratory
Ocular Aging and Trauma Laboratory
By combining computational and experimental biomechanics, custom instrumentation, as well as biochemical and optical techniques, we develop mechanistic insights, diagnostics, and treatments for visual deficits arising from aging and trauma.
Meet the Team
Graduate Students
Wade Rich is a currently a Graduate Research Assistant who graduated from Purdue University in 2017 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, M.S. in BME from OSU Dec 2022.
Wade’s research is focused on the ocular mechanobiology of lenses and the lens age related processes that lead to dysfunctions such as Presbyopia and Cataracts. Wade has developed a novel method of stretching murine lenses and applied this technique to study the genetic response of lens cells to biomechanical stimulation. Wade currently plans to graduate with a PhD Summer 2024, and then hopes to move on to an industry career potentially pursuing medical device design or lab management. He hopes to find a position in industry which still involves some tissue or cellular level research.
In his spare time, Wade likes to spend time outdoors hiking, fishing, and boating. He also enjoys learning new skills with cross disciplinary benefits, assisting with his church’s RCIA program, personal design projects, blacksmithing, leatherworking, and cooking healthy meals.
Annie Ryan is a Graduate Teaching Assistant / Graduate Research Assistant who graduated from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA) in 2020 with a B.S. in BME.
Her current research is focused around diagnostic and therapeutic applications for the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) by utilizing electroretinograms (ERGs) for the determination of functional deficits of the retina and visual system. She currently plan to continue ocular and neuroscience research as an independent PI as she fell in love with the field of research and the experimental process during their undergraduate studies. She also loves to mentor undergrads and wants to continue mentoring and teaching in her career along with research.
In Annie's spare time, she is involved with BMEGSA and has served as the Co-President from 2023-2024 along as being various chairs. With BMEGSA she has helped organize interdepartmental events, professional development opportunities, and engagements with the community through outreach. She also enjoy activities such as figure skating, rock climbing, painting pottery, hanging out with her friends, and taking care of her west highland white terrier named Lilly and a cat named Charlie.
Myles Cline is a Graduate Research Associate who graduated Trine University, with a B.S. in BME.
Their current research is centered around studying the biomechanical properties of the lens, with the focus of studying the refractive index of the lens through the developmental process of the lens and establishing finite element model ray tracing analysis in order to project and predict changes in refractive index. Their current plan is to pursue an industry-focused career, utilizing the skills and experience they gain through their research in order to further their career.
It is currently a mystery as to what Myles does in his spare time.
Undergraduate Students
Morgan Crews (she/her) is a 4th year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Theatre.
Her work in the lab is centered around the biomechanical properties of the lens, and is focused on the effects of accommodation-like stretching on diffusion properties in the porcine lens. She currently plans on graduating in May 2024 and will take her knowledge and expertise from the lab to begin work in the career of Research and Development of medical device in the industry.
In her spare time, Morgan interests include studying and furthering her understanding of ocular biomechanics, musical theatre management, sexual/reproductive health education, and Star Trek.
Haneet Kang is an undergraduate research assistant at The Ohio State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Their work in the lab is centered around assisting with testing the mechanical properties of a human eye with a laser in order to visualize the refractive index of the human lens. They currently plan on pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on Biomechanics.
In their spare time, Haneet enjoys activities such as rock climbing, playing tennis, reading, cooking, and working out!
Ethan Jackson is a 2nd year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University majoring in Biomedical Engineering and minoring in Studio Art.
Ethan's work is currently centered around assisting in researching traumatic optic neuropathy. Their pursuit of research was brought about by a passion for discovering new ways to improve the lives of others. Their current plan is to continue exploring opportunities both in the fields of research and industry.
In their spare time, Ethan stays involved in club squash, and spends the rest of their time lifting weights, snowboarding, fishing, and golfing.
Emma Lally is a 4th year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University with a major in Neuroscience with a systems and behavioral specialization.
Emma's current work is assisting the trauma lab by working directly with the animals and dissections as well as with the sample cryo-sectioning and staining. Their current plans are to join OSU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program following graduation in pursuit of their doctorate due to their strong interest in neurological side of the PT field with the pediatric populations and their love of research.
In Emma's spare time she primarily loves running, being the president of OSU's running club, as well as working and coaching for a local running store. She also enjoys cooking, baking, lifting, thrifting, and listening to a good true crime podcast.
Vidhya Kannan is a 3rd year undergraduate student at The Ohio State University majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish.
Vidhya's current work is associated with the in the Ocular Trauma Lab where she was drawn in by the applicability of the work to real-life scenarios and interest the different lab techniques, and is now learning skills and expanding their knowledge in the field of traumatic optic neuropathy. Their current plan is to attend medical school after graduating fueled by a passion for medicine as well as research.
In Vidhya's spare time they love running and serving as one of the officers for Running Club, lifting, reading, cooking, and baking. They also enjoy a good long walk on the Olentangy trail!
Research
The Ocular Aging and Trauma Laboratory studies the biomechanical mechanisms leading to age- and trauma-related problems with the eye and visual system. Experimental and computational approaches are used to examine length scales spanning from molecular- to organ-level. For example, cellular and/or biochemical events accumulating over a period of decades may contribute to macroscopic changes in the optical and mechanical properties of the ocular lens. During traumatic injury, mechanical insults to the eye lasting only milliseconds can have downstream biological effects over periods of weeks or months.
Accommodation, Presbyopia, and Cataract
Accommodation is the ability of the eye to increase its optical power to allow clear vision when viewing nearby objects. Presbyopia is the progressive loss of accommodation ability with age. The biomechanical driving force(s) for presbyopia remain poorly understood. We use a combination of custom mechanical instrumentation, computational mechanics, and biochemical methods to simulate various aspects of aging on laboratory timescales to gain insights into the natural aging process.
Current Projects
With a decapsulated murine lenses submerged in hydrogel, zonule tension can be simulated by applying force to the hydrogel causing the lens to change shape. This not only give insight towards how the lens reshapes itself during accommodation, but the lens can also then be sequenced in order to find trends in proteins that might contribute during accommodation and which specific genes are upregulated or downregulated after stretching.
Using a LED to project light onto an encapsulated lens that extends through to an optical comparator, a cross sectional view of the lens and the lens capsule can be achieved in order to obtain precise measurements through image analysis. The same system can also be used in conjunction with fiber optic lasers in order to capture images of the refraction of light through the lens in order to determine the refractive index throughout the lens.
Through applying Quasi-static stretching to a carefully removed lens capsule the uniaxial testing will provide information regarding the area-preserving component of deformation while biaxial testing will give information regarding the area dilation component of deformation from the recorded measurements of stress and strain on the samples.
By using a servo motor configured for true rotation and a digital camera isolated inside and opaque insolated box, a lens can be spun at a rapid rate in order to cause deformation from centripetal force. Images of the deformed lens can then be analyzed in order to estimate the biomechanical properties of the lens.
With a flat aluminum plates attached to a rotary motor, the force and displacement data of a lens submerged in medium can be obtained in order to distinguish biomechanical properties of the lens. Combined with a macro imaging system, further analyze of shape change at various degrees of compression can be used to further define specific biomechanical properties.
By analyzing the displacement and force readings from a cantilever probe adjusted by a piezo electric motor into a decapsulated lens supported by a conforming hydrogel, the anisotropy properties of the lens can be directly detected to determine the viscoelastic parameters of the lens.
Trauma to the Eye and Optic Nerve
Ocular trauma is the fastest growing type of injury in both civilian and military settings. We use a combined experimental/computational approach to understand the mechanisms of trauma to the eye and optic nerve arising from blast exposure and blunt impact. These models are used to develop diagnostic criteria, evaluate potential therapeutics, and design new protective equipment.
Current Projects
Through the analysis of amplitude data from injured eyes between 24-hours post injury and 7 days post injury via the photopic negative response (PhNR) waveform a correlates with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function can be established and thus can conclude RGCs are maximally impacted after torsionally induced traumatic optic neuropathy (TITON). Further research using electrophysiology can also help to determine which cell type of the retina is maximally afflicted after traumatic optic neuropathy
Publications and Funding
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
2022
- Martin, J.B., Herman, K., Houssin, N.S., Rich, W., Reilly, M.A., Plageman, T.F., Arvcf dependent adherens junction stability is required to prevent age-related cortical cataracts. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2022;10:840129.
- Maxwell, C.J., Soltisz, A.M., Rich, W.W., Choi, A., Reilly, M.A., Swindle-Reilly, K.E., Alginate Hydrogels as Injectable Drug Delivery Vehicles for Optic Neuropathy Treatment. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research A, 2022;110:1621-1635.
- Yousefi, A., Roberts, C., Reilly, M.A., The Shape of Corneal Deformation Alters Air Puff-Induced Loading, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2022, 10:848060.42.
- Luo, R.H., Tram, N.K., Parekh, A.M., Puri, R,. Reilly, M.A., Swindle-Reilly, K.E., The Roles of Vitreous Biomechanics in Ocular Disease, Biomolecule Transport, and Pharmacokinetics, Current Eye Research, 2022, 18:1-13.
- Yousefi, A., Ma, Y., Roberts, C.J., Moroi, S.E., Reilly, M.A., Hydrodynamic Interaction Between Tear Film and Air Puff from Noncontact Tonometry. Translational Vision Science and Technology, 2022, 11(2):e2.
2021
- 40. Rodriguez, J., Reilly, M.A., Mecham, R.P., Bassnett, S., Biological Preparation and Mechanical Technique for Determining Viscoelastic Properties of Zonular Fibers. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 2021, 178:e63171.
- Shi, Y., Jones, W., Beatty, W., Tan, Q., Mecham, R., Reilly, M.A., Rodriguez, J., Bassnett, S., Latent-transforming growth factor beta-binding protein-2 (LTBP-2) is required for longevity but not for development of zonular fibers. Matrix Biology, 2021,
- 95:15-31.
2020
- Kumar, B., Reilly, M.A., The Development, Growth, and Regeneration of the Crystalline Lens: A Review. Current Eye Research, 2020; 45(3):313-326.
- Nguyen, B.A., Reilly, M.A., Roberts, C.J., Biomechanical contribution of the sclera to dynamic corneal response in air-puff induced deformation in human donor eyes. Experimental Eye Research, 2020, 191:107904 (5 pages).
- Tram, N.K., Jiang, P., Jacobs, K.M., Ruzga, M.N., Allen, M.G., Prieto, R.P., Carus, S.A., Reilly, M.A., Swindle-Reilly, K.E., Biomechanical Influence of Accommodative Tissues on Corneal Morphogenesis. Journal of Biomechanics, 2020, 100:109582 (9 pages).
2019
- Gu, S., Biswas, S., Rodriguez, L., Li, Z., Li, Y., Riquelme, M.A., Shi, W., Wang, K., White, T.W., Reilly, M.A., Lo, W.-K., Jiang, J.X., Connexin 50 and AQP0 are Essential in Maintaining Organization and Integrity of Lens Fibers. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 2019, 60:4021-4032.
- Kumar, B., Chandler, H., Plageman, T., Reilly, M.A., Lens Stretching Modulates Lens Epithelial Cell Proliferation via YAP Regulation. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 2019, 60:3920–3929.
- Rios, J.D., Choi, J.H., McDaniel, J., Becera, S., Bice, L., Johnson, P., Cleland, J.M., Glickman, R.D., Reilly, M.A., Gray, W., Sponsel, W.E., Lund, B.J., Altered Expression of Aquaporin 1 and Aquaporin 5 in the Cornea After Primary Blast Exposure. Molecular Vision, 2019, 25:283-294.
- Nguyen, B.A., Roberts, C.J., Reilly, M.A., Biomechanical impact of the sclera on corneal deformation response to an air-puff: a finite element study. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2019, 6:210 (8 pages).
2018
- Hogrebe, N., Reinhardt, J.W., Tram, N., Reilly, M.A., Gooch, K.J., Independent control of matrix adhesiveness and stiffness within a 3D self-assembling peptide hydrogel. Acta Biomateriala, 2018;70:110-119.
2017
- Sponsel, W.E., Johnson, S.L., Trevino, R., Gonzalez, A., Groth, S.L., Majcher, C., Fulton, D.C., Reilly, M.A., Pattern Electroretinography and Visual Evoked Potentials Provide Clinical Evidence of CNS Modulation of High- and Low-Contrast VEP Latency in Glaucoma. Translational Vision Science and Technology, 2017;6(6.6):1-11.
- Reilly, M.A., Cleaver, A., Inverse Elastographic Method for Analyzing the Ocular Lens Compression Test. Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences, 2017;10(6):1742009
- Balikov, D.A., Crowder, S.W., Boire, T.C., Lee, J.B., Gupta, M.K., Fenix, A.M., Lewis, N.L., Ambrose, C.M., Short, P.A., Kim, C.S., Burnette, D.T., Reilly, M.A., Murthy, S., Kang, M.L., Kim, W.S., Sung, H.-K., Tunable Surface Repellency Maintains Stemness and Redox Capacity of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. ACS Applied Material Interfaces, 2017;9(27):22994-23006.
- Bonugli, E., Cormier, J., Reinhart, L.H., Reilly, M.A., Replicating Real-World Friction of Motorcycle Helmet Impacts and its Effects on Head Injury Metrics. SAE Technical Papers, 2017 1:1433.
- Kotzur, T., Benavides-Garcia, R., Mecklenburg, J., Sanchez, J.R., Reilly, M.A., Hermann, B.P., Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Promotes Spermatogenic Regeneration From Surviving Spermatogonia After High-Dose Alkylating Chemotherapy. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 2017; 15(1):7.
2016
- Jones, K.R., Choi, J.H., Sponsel, W.E., Gray, W., Groth, S.L., Glickman, R.D., Lund, B.J., Reilly, M.A., Low-Level Primary Blast Causes Significant Ocular Injuries in Rabbits. Journal of Neurotrauma, 2016, 33(13):1194-1201.
- Reilly, M.A., Martius, P., Kumar, S., Burd, H.J., Stachs, O., The Mechanical Response of the Young Porcine Lens to a Spinning Test. Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik, 2016, 26(2):127-135.
- Marinkovic, M., Block, T.J., Rakian, R., Li, Q., Wang, E., Reilly, M.A., Dean, D.D., Chen, X.D., One size does not fit all: Developing a cell-specific niche for in vitro study of cell behavior. Matrix Biology, 2016, 44-45:426-441.
- Wilkes, R.P., Reilly, M.A., A pre-tensioned finite element model of ocular accommodation and presbyopia. International Journal of Advances in Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, 2016, 8(1):25–38.
2015
- Rex, T., Reilly, M.A., Sponsel, W.E., Elucidating the effects of primary blast on the eye. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, 2015;43(3):197–199.
- Watson, R., Gray, W., Sponsel, W.E., Lund, B.J., Glickman, R.D., Reilly, M.A., Simulations of Porcine Eye Exposure to Primary Blast Insult. Translational Vision Research and Technology, 2015, 4(4):1-11.
- Reilly, M.A., Villareal, A., Maddess, T., Sponsel, W.E., Refined Frequency Doubling Perimetry Analysis Affirms Central Nervous System Control of Chronic Glaucomatous Neurodegeneration. Translational Vision Science and Technology, 2015, 4(3):1-12.
- Benavides-Garcia, R., Joachim, R.C., Pina, N.A., Mutoji, K.N., Reilly, M.A., Her-mann, B.P. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prevents loss of spermatogenesis after sterilizing busulfan chemotherapy. Fertility and Sterility, 2015, 103(1):270–280.
2014
- Reilly, M.A., A Quantitative Geometric Mechanics Lens Model: Insights into the Mechanisms of Accommodation and Presbyopia. Vision Research, 2014, 113:20–31.
- Sponsel, W.E., Groth, S.L., Satsangi, N., Maddess, T., Reilly, M.A., Refined Data Analysis Provides Clinical Evidence for Central Nervous System Control of Chronic Glaucomatous Neurodegeneration. Translational Vision Science and Technology, 2014, 3(3):1–13.
- Sherwood, D., Sponsel, W.E., Lund, B.J., Gray, W.M., Watson, R., Groth, S., Thoe, K., Glickman, R.D., Reilly, M.A., Anatomical Manifestations of Primary Blast Ocular Trauma Observed in a Postmortem Porcine Model. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 2014, 55(2):1124–1132.
2012
- Du, H., Hamilton, P., Reilly, M.A., Ravi, N., Injectable in situ Physically and Chemically Crosslinkable Gellan Hydrogel. Macromolecular Biosciences, 2012, 12(7):952–961.
2010
- Reilly, M.A., Andley, U.P., Quantitative Biometric Phenotype Analysis in Mouse Lenses. Molecular Vision, 2010, 16:1041–1046.
- Andley, U.P., Reilly, M.A., In Vivo Lens Deficiency of the R49C αA-Crystallin Mutant. Experimental Eye Research, 2010, 90(6):699–702.
- Reilly, M.A., Ravi, N., A Geometric Model of Ocular Accommodation. Vision Research, 2010, 50:330–336.
2009
- Du, H., Hamilton, P.D., Reilly, M.A., d’Avignon, A., Ravi, N., A Facile Synthesis of Highly Water-Soluble, Core-Shell Organo-Silica Nanoparticles with Controllable Size via Sol-Gel Process. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2009, 340:202–208.
- Reilly, M.A., Hamilton P.D., Perry G., Ravi N., Comparison of the Behavior of Natural and Refilled Porcine Lenses in a Robotic Lens Stretcher. Experimental Eye Research, 2009, 88(3):483–494.
- Reilly, M.A., Ravi N., Microindentation of the Young Porcine Ocular Lens. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 2009, 131(4):044502.
- Reilly, M.A., Perry G., Ravi N., A Dynamic Microindentation Device with Electrical Contact Detection. Review of Scientific Instruments, 2009, 80(1):015105.
2008
- Reilly, M.A., Rapp B., Hamilton P.D., Shen A.Q., Ravi N., Material Characterization of Porcine Lenticular Soluble Proteins. Biomacromolecules, 2008, 9(6):1519–1526.
- Reilly, M.A., Hamilton P.D., Ravi N., Dynamic Multi-Arm Radial Lens Stretcher: A Machine Analog of the Ciliary Body. Experimental Eye Research, 2008, 86(1):157–164.
Book Chapters
- Reilly, M.A., Accommodation and Presbyopia, in: Biomechanics of the eye. C.J. Roberts, W.J. Dupps, and J.C. Downs, ed., Kugler Publications, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2018.
- Swindle-Reilly, K.E., Reilly, M.A., Ravi, N., Current Concepts in the Design of Hydrogels as Vitreous Substitutes, in: Biomaterials and regenerative medicine in ophthalmology, 2nd edition; T.V. Chirila, ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd., Cambridge, UK, 2016.
- Reilly, M.A., Swindle-Reilly, K.E., Ravi, N., Hydrogels for Intraocular Lenses and Other Ophthalmic Prostheses, in: Biomedical hydrogels: Biochemistry, manufacture, and medical applications. S. Rimmer, ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd., Cambridge, UK, 118-148, 2011.
NLM MyBibliography
Current Federal Grant Support
DOD CDMRP Vision Research Program
- W81XWH-15-1-0074: Torsion-Induced Traumatic Optic Neuropathy (TITON): Animal Model for Diagnostics, Drug Delivery, and Therapeutics for Injuries to the Central Nervous System
- W81XWH-22-1-0989: Therapeutic Screening for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
National Eye Institute
- 1R01EY033815-01: Elucidation of Arvcf-dependent mechanisms required for lens function