Lincoln V. Johnson

CONTACT
Neuroscience Research Institute, Bio II, #5171
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106

Tel.: 805-893-2965
Fax: 805-893-2005
Email: l_johnso@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Web site: http://www.csmd.ucsb.edu/people/johnson/johnson.html

EDUCATION
Ph.D.: 1978, University of California, San Francisco
B.A.: 1971, University of California, Riverside

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Our studies focus on the role of inflammation in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the primary source of vision loss among the elderly, affecting over 50 million individuals worldwide. Our prior studies showed evidence of inflammation at sites of neurodegeneration in eyes with AMD. We have now identified a linkage between variants in the inflammation-associated gene for Complement Factor H (CFH) and AMD. Individuals with at least one copy of the risk-conferring form of the CFH gene are 2-4 times more likely to be affected by AMD. We are currently investigating the functional consequences at the protein level of risk-conferring genetic alterations in CFH and how they relate to AMD. Discovery of functional alterations in CFH that are the result of AMD-associated polymorphisms will be important to the identification of molecular targets for potential therapeutic intervention and the treatment of AMD.

CURRENT TEAMS

BioDiscovery Tools