CBGM Faculty - Dr. Shruti Sharma's Lab

Dr. Shruti Sharma

Shruti Sharma, MS, PhD

Associate Professor
Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine
James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute
Department of Ophthalmology
Medical College of Georgia at 黄瓜短视频

706-721-6522

shsharma@augusta.edu

Office: CA-4139 | Lab: CA-4132A

Jump to: Research Interests Projects Funding & Teaching Media Articles & Publications 黄瓜短视频 Students & Staff

Research Interests

The Shruti Sharma Lab at 黄瓜短视频 focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ocular surface and retinal diseases, with particular emphasis on dry eye disease (DED) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). In DED, the lab utilizes both in vitro and in vivo models to investigate tear film instability, epithelial dysfunction, and chronic ocular surface inflammation. Tear fluid from patients is analyzed using advanced proteomic and glycomic approaches to identify disease-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The lab has identified interleukin-6 (IL-6) trans-signaling as a novel therapeutic target in DR and investigates inflammatory and angiogenic pathways in endothelial and M眉ller glial cells, particularly the roles of IL-6 cis- and trans- balance and its effect on VEGF signaling. Preclinical studies utilizing sgp130Fc, a selective inhibitor of IL-6 trans-signaling, has shown decreased inflammation, oxidative stress, and retinal vascular damage.

Projects

IL-6 signaling in DR:

IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that possess both anti- and pro-inflammatory properties. Our lab found that inhibiting pro-inflammatory, IL-6 trans-signaling, attenuates inflammation, and helps prevent the vascular dysfunction in the retina that can lead to vision loss.

IL-6 signaling in DR

Therapeutic targets in DED:

Our lab investigates the role of inflammation in DED, to find alternative therapeutic interventions. We center our work on understanding the mechanisms behind tear film instability and increased tear osmolarity, which are the major characteristics of DED.

Nile red staining

Nile red staining in hTCEpi cells

Translational research using ocular fluids:

Our large collection of human tear samples allows us to identify DED tear biomarkers to further advance our search for potential therapeutic DED targets.

Proteins detected in human tear samples.

Proteins detected in human tear samples

Funded Grants & Teaching

Funding:

NIH/NEI R01 grant: 鈥淭argeting Interleukin-6 cis-trans balance in M眉ller cell dysfunction鈥�

NIH/NEI R01 grant: 鈥淪ex-specific Influences on tear microRNAs in dry eye disease鈥�

Intramural Grant: Investigating Potential Treatments for Dry Eye Disease in Mouse Models

Teaching:

Course Director, Translational Genomics and Proteomics (GNMD 8051)

Course Director, Genomic Medicine Seminar (GNMD 8060)
Course Director, Functional Genomics and Proteomics Using Animal Models (GNMD8052)

Selected Publications & Media Articles

Kontoh-Twumasi R, Aliste A, Scheid A, Glass J, Sharma A, Sharma S. Experimental Eye Research(2025)
Glass J, Robinson R, Edupuganti N, Altman J, Greenway G, Lee TJ, Zhi W, Sharma A, Sharma S. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science(2024)
Kontoh-Twumasi R, Budkin S, Edupuganti N, Vashishtha A, Sharma S. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science(2024)
Glass J, Robinson RL, Greenway G, Jones G, Sharma S. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science(2023)
Robinson R, Glass J, Sharma A, Sharma S. Scientific Reports (2022)
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Glass J, Robinson R, Lee TJ, Sharma A, Sharma S; International Journal of Translational Medicine (2021)
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Sharma S; Frontiers in Physiology (2021)
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Robinson R, Brown D, Churchwell L, Lee TJ, Kodeboyina SK, Bloom J, Sharma A, Sharma S; Cytokine(2021)
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Robinson R, Youngblood H, Iyer H, Bloom J, Lee TJ, Chang L, Lukowski Z, Zhi W, Sharma A, Sharma S;Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2020)
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Robinson R, Srinivasan M, Shanmugan A, Ward A, Ganapathy V, Bloom J, Sharma A, Sharma S; Redox Biology (2020)