Our Team
Simon Kaja, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology
2007; Ph.D. Medicine/Neuroscience (Leiden University, The Netherlands)
2002; B.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (Durham University, UK)
Email | Resume
Dr. Kaja is a trained Molecular Biologist and experienced neurobiologist with a strong interest in elucidating the pahtophysiological mechanisms of and identifying novel therapeutic intervention strategies for some of the most disabling ocular disorders, including glaucoma, dry-eye disease, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Following his graduation in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Durham (UK), Dr. Kaja completed his doctoral studies in the Neurology department at the Leiden University Medical Center, under the guidance of Prof. Michel Ferrari and Prof. Rune Frants. Subsequently, he followed his interest in calcium signaling and calcium channelopathies and spent two years in the laboratory of Prof. Terrance Snutch at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. After short stays at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and NeuroSearch A/S, Dr. Kaja moved in 2009 as Research Asssistant Professor to the University of Missouri - Kansas City to continue his research on aspects on calcium signaling in neurological, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases.
In the summer of 2015, Dr. Kaja accepted a position at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, where he serves as the Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology at the rank of Assistant Professor. Furthermore, Dr. Kaja holds appointments in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics and at the Edwards Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Dr. Kaja's laboratory is interested in discovering novel therapies for major ophthalmic disorders, including glaucoma, dry-eye disease, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Recent Publications (since 2015):
For a full list of publications click here.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Molecular Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology
2007; Ph.D. Medicine/Neuroscience (Leiden University, The Netherlands)
2002; B.Sc. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (Durham University, UK)
Email | Resume
Dr. Kaja is a trained Molecular Biologist and experienced neurobiologist with a strong interest in elucidating the pahtophysiological mechanisms of and identifying novel therapeutic intervention strategies for some of the most disabling ocular disorders, including glaucoma, dry-eye disease, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Following his graduation in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Durham (UK), Dr. Kaja completed his doctoral studies in the Neurology department at the Leiden University Medical Center, under the guidance of Prof. Michel Ferrari and Prof. Rune Frants. Subsequently, he followed his interest in calcium signaling and calcium channelopathies and spent two years in the laboratory of Prof. Terrance Snutch at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. After short stays at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and NeuroSearch A/S, Dr. Kaja moved in 2009 as Research Asssistant Professor to the University of Missouri - Kansas City to continue his research on aspects on calcium signaling in neurological, neurodegenerative and ophthalmic diseases.
In the summer of 2015, Dr. Kaja accepted a position at Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, where he serves as the Dr. John P. and Therese E. Mulcahy Professor in Ophthalmology at the rank of Assistant Professor. Furthermore, Dr. Kaja holds appointments in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics and at the Edwards Hines Jr. VA Hospital.
Dr. Kaja's laboratory is interested in discovering novel therapies for major ophthalmic disorders, including glaucoma, dry-eye disease, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Recent Publications (since 2015):
- Rao VR, Lautz JD, Kaja S, Foecking EM, Lukács E, Stubbs EB Jr. Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidants Attenuate TGF-β2 Signaling in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019; 60: 3613 - 3624.
- Kouzoukas DE, Schreiber JA, Tajuddin NF, Kaja S, Neafsey EJ, Kim HY, Collins MA. PARP inhibition in vivo blocks alcohol-induced brain neurodegeneration and neuroinflammatory cytosolic phospholipase A2 elevations. Neurochem Int. 2019; 129: 104497.
- Breuer EK, Fukushiro-Lopes D, Dalheim A, Burnette M, Zartman J, Kaja S, Wells C, Campo L, Curtis KJ, Romero-Moreno R, Littlepage LE, Niebur GL, Hoskins K, Nishimura MI, Gentile S. Potassium channel activity controls breast cancer metastasis by affecting β-catenin signaling. Cell Death Dis. 2019; 10:180
- Žiniauskaite A, Ragauskas S, Ghosh AK, Thapa R, Roessler AE, Koulen P, Kalesnykas G, Hakkarainen JJ, Kaja S. Manganese(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, reduces disease severity in in vitro and in vivo models for dry-eye disease. Ocular Surface 2019; 17:257-261.
- Žiniauskaite A, Ragauskas S, Hakkarainen JJ, Rich CC, Baumgartner R, Kalesnykas G, Albers DS, Kaja S. Efficacy of Trabodenoson in a Mouse Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) Model for Dry-Eye Syndrome. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci 2018; 59:3088-3093
- Rosen SM, Kaja S, De Alba F. Association of Transient Colorblindness With Sildenafil and Tadalafil. JAMA Ophthalmol 2018; doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2018.4716.
- Ragauskas S, Kielczewski E, Vance J, Kaja S, Kalesnykas G. In Vivo Multimodal Imaging and Analysis of Mouse Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization Model. JoVE 2018; 131.
- Fukushiro-Lopes DF, Hegel AD, Rao V, Wyatt D, Baker A, Breuer EK, Osipo C, Zartman JJ, Burnette M, Kaja S, Kouzoukas D, Burris S, Jones WK, Gentile S. Preclinical study of a Kv11.1 potassium channel activator as antineoplastic approach for breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 9: 3321-3337.
- Huang J, Romero-Suarez S, Lara N, Mo C, Kaja S, Brotto L, Dallas SL, Johnson ML, Jähn K, Bonewald LF, Brotto M. Crosstalk between MLO-Y4 osteocytes and C2C12 muscle cells is mediated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. JBMR Plus 2017; 1: 86-100
- Sandoval A, Duran P, Gandini MA, Andrade A, Almanza A, Kaja S, Felix R. Regulation of L-type CaV1.3 channel activity and insulin secretion by the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway. Cell Calcium 2017; 66: 1-9.
- Kaja S, Payne AJ, Naumchuk N, Koulen P. Quantification of Lactate Dehydrogenase for Cell Viability Testing Using Cell Lines and Primary Cultured Astrocytes. Current Protocols in Toxicology 2017; Suppl. 72: 2.26
- Maciulaitiene R, Pakuliene G, Kaja S, Pauza DH, Kalesnykas G, Januleviciene I. Glioprotection of Retinal Astrocytes After Intravitreal Administration of Memantine in the Mouse Optic Nerve Crush Model. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23: 1173-79
- Hakkarainen JJ, Reinisalo M, Ragauskas S, Seppänen A, Kaja S, Kalesnykas G. Acute cytotoxic effects of marketed ophthalmic formulations on human corneal epithelial cells. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2016, 511: 73-78.
- Means JC, Gerdes BC, Kaja S, Sumien N, Payne AJ, Stark DA, Borden PK, Price JL, Koulen P. Caspase-3-Dependent Proteolytic Cleavage of Tau Causes Neurofibrillary Tangles and Results in Cognitive Impairment During Normal Aging. Neurochem Res. 2016; 41: 2278-88.
- Richter F, Koulen P, Kaja S. N-Palmitoylethanolamine Prevents the Run-down of Amplitudes in Cortical Spreading Depression Possibly Implicating Proinflammatory Cytokine Release. Sci Rep. 2016, 6: 23481.
- Kaja S, Payne AJ, Nielsen EO, Thompson CL, Van den Maagdenberg AM, Koulen P, Snutch TP. Differential Cerebellar GABAA Receptor Expression in Mice with Mutations in CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) Calcium Channels. Neuroscience. 2015, 304: 198-208.
- Kaja S, Payne AJ, Naumchuk Y, Levy D, Zaidi DH, Altman AM, Nawazish S, Ghuman JK, Gerdes BC, Moore MA, Koulen P. Plate reader-based cell viability assays for glioprotection using primary rat optic nerve head astrocytes. Exp Eye Res. 2015, 138:159-66.
- Rao VR, Perez-Neut M, Kaja S, Gentile S. Voltage-gated ion channels in cancer proliferation. Cancers (Basel) 2015, 7:849-875.
For a full list of publications click here.
Anita K. Ghosh, B.S., M.S.
2nd year Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
2019; M.S. Neuroscience with distinction (Loyola University Chicago)
2017; B.S. Biology (Duquesne University)
Email
Anita joined the lab in 2017 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. Her Master's thesis investigated the effects of calcium channel dysfunction on extracellular matrix remodeling in the optic nerve head in models for primary open angle and exfoliation glaucoma.
Since joining the Ph.D. program in 2019, Anita has taken on a research program in dry-eye disease. She is investigating the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of dry eye syndrome, caused by desiccation stress, particulate matter exposure and chronic alcohol consumption.
Publications:
Conference contributions:
2nd year Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
2019; M.S. Neuroscience with distinction (Loyola University Chicago)
2017; B.S. Biology (Duquesne University)
Anita joined the lab in 2017 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. Her Master's thesis investigated the effects of calcium channel dysfunction on extracellular matrix remodeling in the optic nerve head in models for primary open angle and exfoliation glaucoma.
Since joining the Ph.D. program in 2019, Anita has taken on a research program in dry-eye disease. She is investigating the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of dry eye syndrome, caused by desiccation stress, particulate matter exposure and chronic alcohol consumption.
Publications:
- Žiniauskaite A, Ragauskas S, Ghosh AK, Thapa R, Roessler AE, Koulen P, Kalesnykas G, Hakkarainen JJ, Kaja S. Manganese(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin, a superoxide dismutase mimetic, reduces disease severity in in vitro and in vivo models for dry-eye disease. Ocular Surface 2019; 17:257-261.
Conference contributions:
- Ghosh AK, Kalesnykas G, Kaja S. Preclinical efficacy of approved drugs in an experimental model for dry-eye disease. Great Lakes Chapter of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Annual Meeting 2019, Downers Grove, IL. Poster presentation.
- Ghosh AK, Rao VR, Stubbs EB, Kaja S. Antioxidants protect against reactive astrocytosis-induced sensitization to oxidative stress. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Annual Meeting 2019, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
- Ghosh AK, Rao VR, Wisniewski V, Rosen SM, Husak V, Hegel AD, Floss J, Stubbs EB, Kaja S. Loxl1 knockdown in primary optic nerve head astrocytes results in molecular and cellular phenotypes associated with reactive astrocytosis and elastinopathy. 14th Scientific Meeting of Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Mar 7-10, 2019, New Orleans, LA.
- Ghosh AK, Rao VR, Naumchuk Y, Maksymenko VB, Stubbs EB Jr., Kaja S. Aberrant calcium channel expression is associated with reactive astrocytosis in optic nerve head astrocytes. 48th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Nov 3-7, 2018, San Diego, CA.
- Ghosh AK, Rao VR, Rosen SM, Stubbs EB Jr, Kaja S. Loss of Loxl1 expression in optic nerve head astrocytes results in molecular signatures suggestive of reactive astrocytosis and elastinopathy. International Society for Eye Research Biennial Meeting 2018, Sep 8-13, 2018, Belfast, N. Ireland, UK. Oral presentation
Harsh N. Hariani, M.B.B.S.
2nd year Masters Student in Neuroscience
Email
Harsh joined the lab in 2018 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. Harsh studies extracellular vesicles and their role in neuron-glia communication.
2nd year Masters Student in Neuroscience
Harsh joined the lab in 2018 as Masters Students in Neuroscience. Harsh studies extracellular vesicles and their role in neuron-glia communication.
Students:
Volunteers:
Former lab members:
Vidhya Rao, PhD
Staff Scientist
Email
Vidhya worked in the lab from 2016 - 2018 as senior research associate and staff scientist. Vidhya has a strong track-record in ocular pharmacology and the biology of cancer. Her primary research interest lies in identifying and developing novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and neurodegenerative ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Publications:
Staff Scientist
Vidhya worked in the lab from 2016 - 2018 as senior research associate and staff scientist. Vidhya has a strong track-record in ocular pharmacology and the biology of cancer. Her primary research interest lies in identifying and developing novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and neurodegenerative ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Publications:
- Rao VR, Lautz JD, Kaja S, Foecking EM, Lukács E, Stubbs EB Jr. Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidants Attenuate TGF-β2 Signaling in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019; 60: 3613 - 3624.
- Fukushiro-Lopes DF, Hegel AD, Rao V, Wyatt D, Baker A, Breuer EK, Osipo C, Zartman JJ, Burnette M, Kaja S, Kouzoukas D, Burris S, Jones WK, Gentile S. Preclinical study of a Kv11.1 potassium channel activator as antineoplastic approach for breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 9: 3321-3337.
- Rao VR, Perez-Neut M, Kaja S, Gentile S. Voltage-gated ion channels in cancer proliferation. Cancers (Basel) 2015, 7:849-875.
Yuliya Naumchuk, Ph.D.
Visiting Researcher
Email
Yuliya joined the lab in 2011. Since then, she has pursued her interest in neurological and visual disorders by applying her medical knowledge to identify novel mechanisms of glial and astrocyte function. She holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology. Her interest lies in novel glioprotective strategies for glaucoma.
Selected publications:
Visiting Researcher
Yuliya joined the lab in 2011. Since then, she has pursued her interest in neurological and visual disorders by applying her medical knowledge to identify novel mechanisms of glial and astrocyte function. She holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology. Her interest lies in novel glioprotective strategies for glaucoma.
Selected publications:
- Kaja S, Payne AJ, Naumchuk Y, Koulen P. Quantification of lactate dehydrogenase for cell viability testing using cell lines and primary cultured astrocytes. Curr Protoc Toxicol 2017; 72: 2.26.1 - 2.26.10.
- Kaja S,* Naumchuk Y,* Grillo SL, Borden PK, Koulen P. Differential up-regulation of Vesl-1/Homer 1 protein isoforms associated with decline in visual performance in a preclinical glaucoma model. Vision Research. 2014, 94C:16-23.
- Payne AJ, Kaja S, Naumchuk Y, Kunjukunju N, Koulen P. Antioxidant drug therapy approaches for neuroprotection in chronic diseases of the retina. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2014, 15:1865-86.
- Payne AJ, Gerdes BC, Naumchuk Y, McCalley AE, Kaja S, Koulen P. Presenilins regulate the cellular activity of ryanodine receptors differentially through isotype-specific N-terminal cysteines. Experimental Neurology. 2013, 250:143-150
Vicki A. Husak
Lab manager and Research Associate
Selected publication:
Lab manager and Research Associate
Selected publication:
- Vaagenes IC, Tsai SY, Ton ST, Husak VA, McGuire SO, O'Brien TE, Kartje GL. Binge ethanol prior to traumatic brain injury worsens sensorimotor functional recovery in rats. PLos One. 2015; 10(3):e0120356.
Alexandra Hegel
Research Assistant and Lab Manager
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Alexandra worked in the lab from 2016 - 2017 as Research Assistant. She is now at the University Illinois at Chicago.
Research Assistant and Lab Manager
Alexandra worked in the lab from 2016 - 2017 as Research Assistant. She is now at the University Illinois at Chicago.
Sasha Rosen
Medical Student
Email
Sasha joined the lab in 2016 and was awarded an Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness Research Grant for his proposal entitled "Calcium signaling in exfoliation glaucoma".
Medical Student
Sasha joined the lab in 2016 and was awarded an Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness Research Grant for his proposal entitled "Calcium signaling in exfoliation glaucoma".
Elliot Savarese
Research Volunteer
Research Volunteer