Sayoko E. Moroi, M.D., Ph.D.
Research Projects

Glaucoma is one of several eye diseases in which individuals may progress to vision loss as a consequence of limitations in current treatments. Some specific treatment limitations include patient compliance, poor response to medication, drug-related side effects, unaffordable health care cost, and challenging surgical procedures. The goal of Dr. Moroi’s laboratory is to develop more effective interventions for glaucoma and to prevent patients from progressing to an advanced stage of vision loss.

1. Dr. Moroi's primary interest is in translational research which has direct implications for improving patient care and treatment outcomes.
2. It is well known that patients vary in their response to medications and their side effects. It is important to understand the mechanisms for these variable responses. Dr. Moroi uses pharmacogenetic approaches to determine whether a patient's response to medication is affected by specific gene variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Using fluorophotometry to measure aqueous humor flow, she can compare interindividual variation in this physiological trait and variation in response to glaucoma medications. This research will ultimately allow physicians to determine the optimal medical treatment for the patient with glaucoma, perhaps using a gene chip platform.

Another important research goal is to improve glaucoma surgical outcomes.
Dr. Moroi is studying the use of amniotic membrane to improve the success of trabeculectomy. The concept of using amniotic membrane in glaucoma surgery is based on its success in cornea and anterior segment surgeries. The membrane, which is obtained from caesarian deliveries, has been shown to reduce inflammation, to prevent the formation new blood vessels, and to decrease scar formation. Under a University of Michigan Clinical Research Initiative Award, she has begun a prospective, randomized pilot study in 40 patients who are at high risk for surgical failure. In addition to evaluating the surgical technique, this study has a translational arm in collaboration with Dr. Howard R. Petty from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and researchers from the U-M Department of Dermatology. This project will allow Dr. Moroi and colleagues to study both the individual patient’s wound healing response and the biological mechanism of action to amniotic membrane. Using tissue obtained from a surgical biopsy to culture fibroblast cells in the laboratory, they will study the patient’s fibroblast response to amniotic membrane and drugs. If the translational results correlate with the surgical outcome, then Dr. Moroi’s lab will be in a position to develop a pre-surgical tissue culture test to recommend the optimal surgical approach for the patient with glaucoma.