Abigail S. Hackam Research Group

University of Miami

Can activating Wnt signaling pathways protect photoreceptors from degeneration and promote axon regrowth after optic nerve injury? The lab tests canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling activators to identify photoreceptor protective factors and their receptors. Researchers investigate how innate immunity signals, glial-secreted cytokines, oxidative stress levels, and specific receptors regulate Wnt neuroprotection and photoreceptor survival. They characterize optic nerve regeneration mechanisms by assessing Wnt ligand-induced retinal ganglion cell axon growth, identifying key receptors and signaling proteins, and testing virally delivered axonal growth factors. The group uses a Muller glia-photoreceptor culture system and dietary models such as ketogenic and lyophilized grape supplement to screen compounds and environmental influences that delay vision loss.