Bala Lab

Our lab investigates the molecular biology of Schlemm’s canal and trabecular meshwork development. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States and affects nearly 80 million people worldwide. Elevated intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma. The aqueous humor outflow tissues, Schlemm’s canal and trabecular meshwork, regulate intraocular pressure. Patients with congenital forms of glaucoma exhibit morphological and functional defects in the Schlemm’s canal and the trabecular meshwork leading to decreased aqueous humor outflow and elevated intraocular pressure. To understand the disease etiology and improve treatment options for early-onset or congenital glaucoma, it is crucial that we understand the underlying biology of outflow tissue development and how genetic changes in disease impact these tissues to cause congenital glaucoma. We use a combination of mouse genetics, single cell transcriptomics, hiPSC models, confocal microscopy and ocular physiology to derive a deeper understanding of outflow tissue development and biology.