52014-Sharma, Tasneem
Faculty

Tasneem P. Sharma, PhD

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Address
GK 305U
OPTH
IN
Indianapolis, IN
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Bio

Dr. Sharma received her bachelor’s degree from University of Texas at Arlington and her doctoral degree from University of North Texas Health Science center. She completed her postdoctoral training at University of Iowa under Dr. Budd Tucker and her second postdoctoral work under Dr. Colleen McDowell.  She joined Indiana University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor within the Department of Ophthalmology and adjunct appointments in Pharmacology and Toxicology.  Her research focuses on understanding intraocular and intracranial pressure associated pathogenesis in glaucoma and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, generation of patient specific neuronal cells, disease modeling of central nervous system diseases, and neuroprotection/regeneration therapeutics.


PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

 

2019-present ISER - International Society for Eye Research

2013-present Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Society Member                                      

2003-present WEAVR- Women in Eye And Vision Research

2011-present AOPT - Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics                           

2009-present AAAS - American Association for the Advancement of Science        

 

2009-present ARVO - Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology   

Key Publications

1.    Sharma, T. P., Curry, S. M., Lohawala, H., McDowell, C. Translaminar Autonomous System Model for the Modulation of Intraocular and Intracranial Pressure in Human Donor Posterior Segments. J. Vis. Exp. (158), e61006, doi:10.3791/61006. 2020

2.    Sharma TP, Curry SM, McDowell CM. Effects of TLR4 inhibition on TGFβ2 signaling in the human trabecular meshwork. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2019 Dec 13. doi: 10.1089/jop.2019.0076.

3.    Sharma TP, Giacalone JC, Burnight ER, Fingert JF, Mullins RF, Stone EM, Tucker BA. CRISPR-Cas9-Based Genome Editing of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.  Curr Protoc Stem Cell Biol. 2018 Feb 28;44:5B.7.1-5B.7.22. doi: 10.1002/cpsc.46. PubMed PMID: 29512106.

4.    Sharma TP, Wiley LA, Whitmore SS, Anfinson KR, Cranston CM, Oppedal DJ, Daggett HT, Mullins RF, Tucker BA, Stone EM. Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells to evaluate the pathophysiology of TRNT1-associated Retinitis pigmentosa. Stem Cell Res. 2017 May; 21:58-70. doi: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.03.005. PubMed PMID: 28390992. Cover of journal.

5.    Jain A, Zode G, Kasetti RB, Ran FA, Yan W, Sharma TP, Bugge K, Searby CC, Fingert JH, Zhang F, Clark AF, Sheffield VC. CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment of myocilin-associated glaucoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2017 Oct 17;114(42):11199-11204.

Titles & Appointments

  • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology
  • Education
    2014 PhD University of North Texas
    2006 BS University of Texas
  • Research

    My research program entails focusing on intraocular and intracranial pressure associated pathogenesis, generation of patient specific neuronal cells, disease modeling of central nervous system diseases, and neuroprotection/regeneration therapeutics. Currently I am developing a range of new glaucoma therapeutics for neuroprotection and pharmacological manipulations of degenerative pathways in glaucoma. Our current studies will identify pathways or molecules that can best be treated with drugs that are beyond intraocular pressure suppression and instead focus on survival of retinal ganglion cells. My scientific and scholastic concentrations comprise stem cell biology, 3D differentiation, neuroregeneration and therapeutics. During my scientific career, I have focused on the successful generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for cell-based therapy and development of different neuronal subtypes for treating degenerative diseases. Our lab has expertise in organ-based disease modeling, CRISPR-based genome editing technology, RNA-Seq and bioinformatics analysis. Additionally, I have invented and generated the Translaminar Autonomous System which is currently under a patent. This model allows me to study effects of translaminar pressure on iPSC-derived retinal ganglion cells and their axons, permitting me to test novel targets that exhibit neuroprotection and regeneration. In addition, we have received funding from the NASA-affiliated consortium, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health to characterize the Space Associated Neuro-ocular syndrome using my patent pending model.

    PATENTS APPLICATIONS FILED

     

    Translaminar Autonomous System: A model to allow modulation of translaminar pressure in a donor human posterior eye cup. The intraocular and intracranial pressure can be altered independently of each other using this model system. Patent application filed on April 26, 2019 under U.S. Patent Application No. 16/395,610. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190327958A1/en?oq=16%2f395%2c610    

  • Awards
    Org:
    Desc: Outstanding Faculty Commitment to Diversity Award
    Scope: School
    Date: 2023-09-01

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