Research
The Cameron lab investigates the role of non-neuronal astrocytes in the development and progression of glaucoma and other neurodegenerative disorders affecting the retina and optic nerve. In degenerative disease, astrocytes undergo functional changes that can both benefit and harm neuronal health through a process referred to as reactive astrogliosis (or simply reactivity). The dual nature of astrocyte reactivity raises important questions about the factors that regulate reactive astrocyte functions and their effects on neural degeneration and repair. To address this, the lab utilizes a combination of experimental disease models, transgenic alleles, and multi-omic approaches to elucidate the cellular, molecular, and transcriptional mechanisms that underlie reactive astrocyte specification, diversity, and signaling. This understanding guides the development of novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate or even reverse degenerative processes. Uniquely, the lab employs a pioneering adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector approach to deliver candidate gene therapies directly to optic nerve head astrocytes, enabling for the first time, the ability to target the reactive astrocyte population hypothesized to drive glaucomatous disease progression. The ultimate goal of the lab is to translate basic discoveries in astrocyte biology into targeted therapies for clinical application.
Biography
Evan Cameron, PhD, is an Assistant Staff member in the Department of Ophthalmic Research. His research program aims to characterize reactive astrocyte functions in the diseased retina, with the goal of developing novel astrocyte-targeted gene therapies to prevent and reverse vision loss associated with glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.
Education & Professional Highlights
Education & Training
- 2015 – 2019: Postdoctoral Fellow – Stanford University School of Medicine
- 2014 – 2015: Postdoctoral Scholar – University of California San Diego
- 2007 – 2014: PhD in Molecular Neuroscience from University of Maryland Baltimore County
- 2006 – 2007: Master of Science in Applied Molecular Biology – University of Maryland Baltimore County
- 2001 – 2006: Bachelor of Science in Biology - Towson University
Professional Appointments
- 2024 – present: Assistant Staff – Cole Eye Institute/Lerner Research Institute
- 2021 – 2024: Senior Scientist – PTC Therapeutics
- 2019 – 2021: Instructor of Ophthalmology – Stanford University School of Medicine
Honors & Awards
- 2015-2018: Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual NRS Award
- 2013: Graduate School Dissertation Fellowship Award
- 2011: Biology and Chemistry of Vision Travel Award
- 2009 – 2011: Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional NRS Award
- 2007 – 2014: Chemistry and Biology Interface Graduate Student Training Award
Memberships
- 2022 – 2023: American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT)
- 2014 – 2021: Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
- 2008 – 2013: Society for Neuroscience
Research
Cyclic-AMP signaling in reactive astrocytes
We recently discovered compartmented nuclear and cytoplasmic cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in optic nerve head astrocytes differentially regulates neuroprotective versus neurotoxic astrocyte reactivity. Currently, the lab is seeking to molecularly and transcriptionally link compartmented cAMP signaling to specific reactive astrocyte functions after acute white matter injury and in an experimental model of glaucoma.
Astrocyte-targeted gene therapy development
Astrocytes are found throughout the retina and optic nerve, residing in specific locations critical for visual function. This regional distribution suggests diverse astrocyte subpopulations play a specialized role in both normal vision and disease. The lab is actively developing novel gene therapy vectors to target these unique reactive astrocyte subtypes, which serve in the study of these populations and development of novel astrocyte-targeted therapies to treat retinal disease.
Our Team
Selected Publications
View publications for Evan G. Cameron, PhD
(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Selected publications:
- Cameron EG, Nahmou M, Toth AB, Heo L, Tanasa B, Dalal R, Yan W, Nallagatla P, Xia X, Hay S, Knasel C, Stiles TL, Douglas C, Atkins M, Sun C, Ashouri M, Bian M, Chang KC, Russano K, Shah S, Woodworth MB, Galvao J, Nair RV, Kapiloff MS, Goldberg JL. A molecular switch for neuroprotective astrocyte reactivity. Nature. 2024 Feb;626(7999):574-582. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06935-3. Epub 2023 Dec 12.
- Cameron EG, Xia X, Galvao J, Ashouri M, Kapiloff MS, Goldberg JL. Optic Nerve Crush in Mice to Study Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and Regeneration. Bio Protoc. 2020 Mar 20;10(6). doi: 10.21769/BioProtoc.3559.
- Boczek T, Cameron EG, Yu W, Xia X, Shah SH, Castillo Chabeco B, Galvao J, Nahmou M, Li J, Thakur H, Goldberg JL, Kapiloff MS. Regulation of Neuronal Survival and Axon Growth by a Perinuclear cAMP Compartment. J Neurosci. 2019 Jul 10;39(28):5466-5480. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2752-18.2019. Epub 2019 May 16.
- Cameron EG, Kapiloff MS. Intracellular compartmentation of cAMP promotes neuroprotection and regeneration of CNS neurons. Neural Regen Res. 2017 Feb;12(2):201-202. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.200797.
- Cameron EG, Goldberg JL. Promoting CNS repair. Science. 2016 Jul 1;353(6294):30-1. doi: 10.1126/science.aag3327.
Careers
We are looking for motivated individuals who share our enthusiasm for science and discovery. Individuals of all backgrounds are welcome to apply, but especially those who will thrive in a cohesive and collaborative collegial environment that fosters scientific curiosity, rigor and growth.
Prospective postdocs should email Dr. Evan Cameron ([email protected]) their CV, a brief description (<one page) of their research interests and career goals and contact information for three references.
Interested graduate students should email Dr. Evan Cameron ([email protected]) to discuss potential projects.
Come join our team and enjoy all that the Cole Eye Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and the city of Cleveland have to offer!