Joyal Lab

Understanding the drivers of abnormal vessel growth is key to controlling many diseases of the eye and cancer. Part of the factors governing blood vessel development in the retina are oxygen and energy demands of neurons. Although much is known about oxygen drivers of angiogenesis, surprisingly little is known about the neuronal energy signals that are also likely to control vessel growth. Our lab explores the role of energy metabolism in angiogenesis, using mouse models of retinopathies and cancers.

​

Projects:

• Metabolic fuel: Defining the contribution of lipid and glucose metabolism in regenerative angiogenesis

​​

• Autophagy: Examining the Impact of autophagy as an alternative source of energy in retinal neurons

​​

• Mitochondrial signals: Identification of mitochondrial signals that drive angiogenesis.