The Cepko Lab

The mechanisms that cells use when they choose their fate during development of the central nervous system is the main problem under study in our lab. We have focussed our studies on the retina, a tractable model for the rest of the central nervous system. In addition, we are interested in why photoreceptor cells die in the many forms of retinal degeneration, and are developing a gene therapy that prevents their death and the subsequent loss of vision. We also enjoy developing new technologies that enable these studies as well as others.