BUSNA Supports Birdshot Research at Wash U
Birdshot Uveitis Society of North America is pleased to announce that a donation of $2000 has been made to support Dr. Lynn M. Hassman's birdshot research at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Hassman, MD, PhD, Clinician and an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Wash U, is a leading uveitis specialist and research scientist. She and some of her colleagues recently held several informative conversations with the board members of BUSNA.
The contribution will support the work of students who are specifically working on birdshot research. Birdshot uveitis is a rare auto-immune disease of the eye for which there is no known cure.
Dr. Hassman and her team at Wash U hope also to improve outcomes for all uveitis patients by investigating the social determinants of healthcare.
Thus far, Dr. Hassman’s research has included single cell RNA sequencing of aqueous fluid and also immune cell profiles in uveitis and birdshot uveitis patients. She and her colleagues are currently working to determine precision medicine protocols that would maximize therapeutic efficacy and minimize the risk for any individual patient.
Additionally, these researchers have conducted a small study on the reduction of ocular inflammation in Birdshot Retinochoroiditis, and they are currently gathering data on retinal pigmented epithelium cells which may contain clues about the triggers for eye inflammation and Birdshot. Dr. Hassman and her colleagues hope to identify differences in gene expression between clinically defined diseases.
Because birdshot uveitis is a rare disease, it presents challenges to researchers seeking improved treatments. BUSNA board members were impressed with Dr. Hassman’s enthusiasm for learning more about birdshot uveitis and also with her willingness to collaborate with other institutions. We believe this contribution will add momentum to the search for better treatments and eventually, a cure.
The entire Birdshot community thanks Dr. Hassman and her colleagues for their efforts to better understand and treat Birdshot Uveitis.