The Li Lab

Dr. Li's LabOur research goal is to understand the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and to develop more effective therapies for treatment of this condition, with a particular focus on the targeting ocular renin angiotensin system. The renin angiotensin system, as a fundamental regulator of cardiovascular homeostasis and a key contributor in cardiovascular diseases, is also produced locally in the eye. Funded by American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association and NIH, our research projects include (1) to investigate the role and mechanisms of ocular renin angiotensin system in development and progression of diabetic retinopathy; (2) the protective role and mechanisms of recently established new axis of the renin angiotensin system: ACE2/Ang 1-7/Mas in diabetic retinopathy, using both gene-based and pharmacology.