Biophysics, chemistry and biology of the lens

Lens cells offer a unique opportunity to study the chemical and  molecular basis for the regulation of cell differentiation.  Lens cells begin opaque and differentiate into transparent cells and the  optical  quality of the lens is the result of a highly synchronized,  multistep process of cell proliferation , migration, and  differentiation.  The transparency and refractile properties of the  lens are determined  by expression of high concentrations of the  alpha and beta/gamma crystallin families of proteins.  The diversity of the  individual crystallins contributes to the complex structural  organization of the  proteins in the homogeneous transparent  cytoplasm.  The structural and functional interactions between  crystallin proteins that are responsible for the development and  maintenance of lens cell  transparency and refraction are the primary  considerations of our research effort.  Quantitative techniques of  protein biochemistry, molecular biology, LASER light scattering spectroscopy, and light and  electron microscopy are used in these studies.  We  are developing new methods for analysis of electron and light  micrographs of cell and tissue structure using 2-D Fourier methods,  fractal analysis and  chaos theory.

The principles of lens cell differentiation apply to differentiation  of other cells and tissues including red blood cells, skin cells, and  muscle fibers.

Click here (PDF) to access Dr. Clark’s current CV.