
Welcome to Bernstein Vision Research Lab
ABOUT OUR LAB


Bernstein Vision Research Lab is a specialized facility dedicated to conducting cutting-edge research in the field of ophthalmology. Our research focuses on preventing blinding eye diseases through regenerative healing and targeting cellular dysfunction in glaucoma, with a specific focus on the involvement of aberrant protein aggregation and ubiquitin-mediated pathways in these pathologies. We are located at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and our team of renowned researchers and clinicians are committed to advancing the understanding of ocular diseases and contributing to the development of innovative solutions for vision-related challenges.
Dr. Bernstein is a tenured Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences with secondary appointments in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Cell and Developmental Biology at Upstate Medical University. Prior to joining SUNY in the summer of 2017, she was faculty at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in NYC. Dr. Bernstein has held leadership appointments in the vision community including an elected position in the program committee for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).
Dr Audrey Bernstein also serves on several study sections including the National Eye Institute (NEI), the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the DOD Vision Research Program, and Research to Prevent Blindness. Dr. Bernstein’s research is supported by the NEI, Research to Prevent Blindness, The Glaucoma Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation, the Moise and Chella Safra Foundation and The Mayer Family Foundation. She is a reviewer for numerous journals and an editor for eLIFE. Recently, she has been honored with the President's Award for Excellence and Leadership in Research at Upstate. She is co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of DUB Biologics, Inc, a spin-out company based on her regenerative healing therapeutic.
OUR LAB MEMBERS




Publications
Wang Z, Castro N, Bernstein AM, Wolosin JM. TGFβ1-driven SMAD2/3 phosphorylation and myofibroblast emergence are fully dependent on the TGFβ1 pre-activation of MAPKs and controlled by maternal leucine zipper kinase. Cell Signal. 2024 Jan;113:110963. doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110963. Epub 2023 Nov 4. PubMed PMID: 37931692; NIHMSID:NIHMS1945227.
Phillips AT, Boumil EF, Venkatesan A, Tilstra-Smith C, Castro N, Knox BE, Henty-Ridilla JL, Bernstein AM. The formin DAAM1 regulates the deubiquitinase activity of USP10 and integrin homeostasis. Eur J Cell Biol. 2023 Dec;102(4):151347. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151347. Epub 2023 Aug 5. PubMed PMID: 37562219; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10839120.

CURRENT GRANTS
-
NIH-NEI R01 EY030567: Cellular Dysfunction in Exfoliation Glaucoma
-
The Glaucoma Foundation/Bright Focus: Impaired mitochondrial dynamics in Exfoliation Glaucoma
-
VA Merit Award I01 BX005360: A self-delivery siRNA for promoting regenerative healing in the eye
-
NIH-NEI R01 EY024942: The Ubiquitin Pathway in Corneal Scarring
-
NIH Direct to Phase II SBIR: A single dose anti-scarring therapeutic for the cornea
-
SUNY RF TAF Award: Suppression of scarring following treatment of a novel siRNA therapeutic
-
SUNY RF Start-up S4 Pitch Competition Winners

UPSTATE GRADUATE STUDENT AMBASSADORS
Christine A Tilstra Smith, Mohammad Anjum Shaik and Arpan Banerjee have been currently appointed as Ambassadors. Serving the University as a Graduate Student Ambassador provides the opportunity to assist in recruiting the newest PhD students to Upstate Medical University and the COGS family. Over the course of time as a Graduate Student Ambassador, we will provide leadership to prospective and accepted students, interact with admissions staff, build relationships with COGS Faculty and Staff and be a part of making an impact on Upstate, all while developing personally and professionally.
CONGRATULATIONS!! #BERNERS #CVR #UPSTATE


Conference Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Location: The Lodge in Skaneateles, NY
Poster by Shaik Mohammad Anjum and Arpan Banerjee
Knockdown of USP10 with In vivo self delivery siRNA reduces corneal epithelial defects




LAB GATHERINGS!!! SO MUCH FUN



Videos
Explore our lab's research and findings through our video gallery.
All Videos


TAF Class of 2023 - Audrey Bernstein and Tere Williams, Upstate Medical University
#Con'FOCUS' of the Month
Credits: Arpan B and Anjum Shaik
Mouse Cornea (Stained for USP10)


#Con'FOCUS' of the Month
Mouse Retina



