Wong To Give Sayer Lecture, Nov. 17

Dr. Wai T. Wong

Dr. Wai T. Wong, a National Eye Institute investigator in the unit on neuron-glia interactions in retinal disease, will give the 10th Sayer Vision Research Lecture on Friday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater, Bldg. 10.

His presentation, “Microglia in the Retina: Roles in Health, Aging and Disease,” will describe efforts to understand how chronic neuroinflammation contributes to diseases of the retina, the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.  

Wong and his colleagues focus specifically on microglia, resident immune cells in the retina and other parts of the central nervous system. They study the general function of microglia, how the cells interact with other retinal cells and their role in aging and retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. 

Recent discoveries from the lab indicate that microglia are actively involved in keeping the retina healthy. A decline of these functions during aging and disease is believed to contribute to retinal cell degeneration. Understanding microglia and their contribution to neuroinflammation may help identify novel approaches for treating retinal diseases.

The Sayer Vision Research Lecture Series features prominent scientists conducting vision-related research. It is cohosted by NEI and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.