Biography
Mark Johnson
Professor
Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Ophthalmology
Northwestern University, TECH E378
2145 Sheridan Road Evanston, Illinois 60208
847-467-7143 http://www.northwestern.edu/bme/markj/
Prof. Johnson is internationally known for his work on ocular biomechanics, particular with regards to the pathogenesis of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Studies in his group currently involve a bioengineering approach that utilize perfusion studies, atomic force microscopy and theoretical analysis in combination with use of high-resolution morphometry and finite element modeling. He has been involved in the study of a variety of physiological transport and mechanics problems for the past 30 years including flow through the aqueous humor outflow pathways as relates to glaucoma, transport and mechanics of the arterial wall, transport through the cornea, transport through macromolecular gels such as hyaluronic acid and Matrigel, transport through Bruch’s membrane and cell mechanics.
Abstract
Biomedical Engineering Studies of Diseases of the Eye: Previous Successes and New Opportunities
Bioengineering methods have elucidated the details of a variety of ocular diseases processes including the role of mechanics in the elevated pressure characteristic of glaucoma and in the resulting damage to the optic nerve, the role of lipid accumulation in age-related macular degeneration, and the role of oxygen transport in vascular occlusion and retinal detachment. We will review these successes and also examine the opportunities for bioengineering to advance corneal mechanics as related to keratoconus, to assist in glaucoma and keratorefractive surgery, and to address the challenging problem of targeted drug delivery to the eye.