Krishnakumar Kizhatil, PhD
Assistant Professor
366 Bevis Hall
1080 Carmack Rd,
Columbus, OH 43210
Kizh01@osumc.edu
Research Interests
Glaucoma
Molecular basis of Intraocular pressure
Current Research
Dr. Krish Kizhatil is a cell and developmental biologist working to find cures for glaucoma. He is an NIH-funded researcher focused on determining the molecular basis of intraocular pressure regulation. He uses the mouse to understand the mechanistic basis of human glaucoma-associated gene functions and associated pathways to identify new druggable targets to control eye pressure and glaucoma. Dr. Kizhatil’s group will use cutting edge cell biology methods genomics and state of the art microscopy to study the development and biology of Schlemm's canal, an essential structure for controlling eye pressure. His group aims to develop tools with clinical potential to control Schlemm’s canal function to reduce eye pressure. The Kizhatil group will also study retinal ganglion cell biology to develop therapies to enhance their resiliency to protect vision.
Active Funding
Does VECAD at Schlemm canal cell-junctions determine IOP and glaucoma risk?
NIH/NEI-R01EY032062 multi-PI grant
Project dates: 01/1/2021-11/30/2025
Direct costs: $2,782731
The objective of the grant is to find the role of VE-CADHERIN at the adherens junction of Schlemm’s canal cells in the regulation of intraocular pressure.
Determining Molecular mechanisms of Human glaucoma genes
NIH/NEI-R01 033015 co-PI
Project dates: 05/1/2022-03/31/2026
Direct costs: $1,000416
The objective of the grant is to determine the mechanism by which the human glaucoma gene GLIS1 regulates intraocular pressure using a mouse model.
Education and Training
Postdoctoral training: Department of Cell Biology and HHMI, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. 2000-2006.
PhD: University of Tennessee at Memphis, Memphis, TN. 1993-1999.
Undergraduate: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honors, June 1992)- Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan, India, 1988-1992
Professional membership
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
International Society for Eye Research (ISER)
American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)
Editorial Activities
Ad hoc reviewer
Glaucoma Foundation,
Journal of Biological Chemistry,
Proceeding of National Academy of Science,
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (IOVS)
Experimental Eye Research
PlosOne
ELife
Molecular Vision
Survey of Ophthalmology
npj Regenerative Medicine
Cell Reports
Publications