David N. Zacks, M.D., Ph.D.
Research Projects

The laboratory of Dr. David Zacks is focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying photoreceptor cell death and degeneration during retinal disease. Dr. Zacks is a leader in the study of apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the main mechanism by which photoreceptors die during retinal disease. The goal of Dr. Zacks' research is to gain new insight into the molecular biology of apoptotic photoreceptor cell death and to develop therapies for improving vision in patients with retinal disease.

Dr. Zacks' laboratory uses multiple experimental systems to study photoreceptor cell death. These include models of hereditary retinal degeneration, photoreceptor precursor (stem cell) transplantation and experimental retinal detachment. Dr. Zacks' group uses the latest in molecular biological and genetic techniques to define the apoptotic pathways activated within the retina, and to develop strategies of preventing the death of the photoreceptor. Dr. Zacks also collaborates with regional, national and international vision scientists to expand the research effort into the arena of drug development and delivery for photoreceptor neuroprotective therapies.

Dr. Zacks is also active in clinical research, and currently serves as a co-investigator on a clinical trial at the Kellogg Eye Center that deals with sleep apnea. His research group is active in outcomes research as it pertains to various retinal surgical techniques and procedures.

Dr. Zacks' work has been funded by a variety of government and foundation grants, and has resulted in numerous publications. For more information, please contact Dr. Zacks.

Research Updates:

• Our laboratory has recently transplanted rod photoreceptor precursor cells successfully in a murine model of hereditary retinal degeneration. We are working to develop strategies to improve the efficacy of the transplantation technique and the long-term survival of the integrated cells in the host retina.
• We have recently identified a small molecule inhibitor of the FAS-apoptotic pathway and have demonstrated its ability to prevent photoreceptor cell death during experimental retinal detachment. We are working to translate these findings into pre-clinical development of a photoreceptor neuroprotective therapy for use in human disease.
• Dr. Zacks, in collaboration with Kellogg's Dr. Joshua Stein and Dr. Frank Sloan of the Duke Eye Center, has recently evaluated trends in outcomes for vitrectomy surgery among Medicare beneficiaries. Their work examines the safety and complication rates of this type of surgery over the last decade, and represents the first national large-scale evaluation of this procedure.