TRPA1/TRPV1-dependent neuroimmune responses in the healthy cornea’s intrinsic resistance to bacterial adhesion.
Suzanne Fleiszig, Professor
Optometry
Closed. This professor is continuing with Spring 2026 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Fall 2026.
The cornea is endowed with a high density of sensory nerve endings, including some polymodal by virtue of their Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) cation channels. Recently, the Fleiszig lab reported that corneal nerves can modulate the healthy cornea’s susceptibility to bacterial adhesion involving TRPV1 and TRPA1. Our new data show that these two receptor types confer selectivity for bacteria type, and inoculation with different pathogens elicits a TRPV1/A1 and nerve dependent immune cell response, involving different immune cell types, location and morphology. Now, our goal is to better understand how TRPV1 and TRPA1 differentially counter S. aureus and P. aeruginosa adhesion to the healthy murine cornea, and the specific immune cell types involved.
Role: The students will begin by learning the anatomy, dissection, cryo-sectioning of the mice cornea, then immune cell identification in the cornea using immunohistochemistry method, basic microscopy and single cell dissociation. The use of the microscope will be supervised until proficiency and responsibility are demonstrated. The project also includes software operated image analysis. Students are expected to present findings in lab meeting and keep an updated electronic lab notebook.
Qualifications: Basic knowledge of biology and microscope is required, completion or concurrent enrollment in general chemistry and biology classes should suffice. Previous lab experience such as the use of pipettes, sterile technique, and animal related work are useful, but not required. Ideally, we would like to recruit students who are interested in a multi-year commitment and able to apply for summer fellowships in 2026 (examples include SURF: surf.berkeley.edu.) It will be necessary to schedule the hours between 9am-5pm for proper attention to training and supervision.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Yujia Yang, Sara Abboud, Post-Doc
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Related website: http://fleiszig.vision.berkeley.edu/
Biological & Health Sciences