Dr. Neuringer’s major areas of research include 1) the development and characterization of nonhuman primate models of retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly, and photoreceptor degenerations; 2) preclinical studies of gene and cell-based therapies for retinal disease; 3) the role of nutritional factors – particularly omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids – in retinal and brain development, aging and disease; and 4) cognitive development and aging.

Dr. Neuringer’s laboratory has done pioneering work on the roles of nutritional factors in visual system development, aging and retinal disease, including the actions of carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The current primary focus of her research program is the creation of translational nonhuman primate models of retinal degenerative diseases to facilitate better understanding of disease mechanisms and preclinical testing of potential gene and cell-based therapies. Her laboratory has identified and characterized naturally-occurring nonhuman primate models of retinal disease including age-related macular degeneration, Batten disease and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Her preclinical studies of retinal gene therapy for several inherited retinal diseases have helped to provide the basis for human clinical trials.