Faculty and Physicians

John M. Nickerson, PhD

Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice Director, Research (Basic Science)

Dr. Nickerson's interests are in retinal proteins and their expression in normal animals and in animal models exhibiting characteristics of human eye diseases

Whether as a treatment in human disease or as a laboratory tool, the delivery of nucleic acids into cells and expression of a gene are important. Many strategies have been proposed, and many, to some degree, function as promised.

Difficulties arise when migrating from a laboratory tool or proof-of-principle into a reasonable and effective therapeutic agent. Viruses and viral particles have been most effective so far, but they have drawbacks. Other approaches have not been as efficient.

The invasiveness of current gene delivery schemes has been secondary to their efficiency and their associated risks, such as immunogenicity. We are considering noninvasive technologies to circumvent many problems with present gene delivery approaches. We employ mouse models of human ocular genetic diseases in testing gene delivery.

Research
Undergraduate School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Graduate School
University of Texas Medical Branch

Postdoctoral Fellowship
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Previous academic appointments
Senior Fellow, NIH
Biologist (tenured), NIH