CBGM Faculty - Dr. Shruti Sharma's Lab

Dr. Shruti Sharma

Shruti Sharma, MS, PhD

Associate Professor
Center for Biotechnology & Genomic Medicine
James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute
Department of Ophthalmology
Medical College of Georgia at 星空传媒

706-721-6522

shsharma@augusta.edu

Office: CA-4139 | Lab: CA-4132A

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Research Interests

The Shruti Sharma Lab employs molecular, cellular, and translational approaches to study diabetic retinopathy (DR) and dry eye disease (DED). The lab integrates in-vitro and in-vivo models to investigate mechanisms of inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and ocular surface damage. A major focus of our work is the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling, investigating 1) how the disruption of the 鈥淚L-6 cis-trans balance鈥� in retinal M眉ller glial cells alters VEGF regulation, causing retinal neurovascular dysfunction, and 2) whether selective inhibition of IL-6 trans-signaling with sgp130Fc can reduce inflammation. In our DED research, we examine the osmoprotective potential of L-carnitine in preventing epithelial barrier disruption, inflammation, and ocular surface damage.

Projects

IL-6 trans-signaling & Inflammation:

IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine with both anti- & pro-inflammatory roles. Our lab has established that selectively inhibiting IL-6 trans-signaling with sgp130Fc can prevent oxidative stress, inflammation, barrier dysfunction, & apoptosis.

Therapeutic targets in DED:

The Sharma Lab uses hyperosmolar stress, benzalkonium chloride (BAC), & desiccating stress models to examine the molecular mechanisms of dry eye disease (DED) in corneal epithelial cells & mice. Our current research evaluates whether supplementation with L-carnitine, an osmoprotectant, can prevent ocular surface instability & dysfunction characteristic of DED pathology.

Translational research using ocular fluids:

We collect & analyze tear fluid samples from patients and mice with & without DED. Our research aims to identify potential biomarkers of DED through the detection of differentially expressed microRNAs & proteins in human & mouse tears.

Funded Grants & Teaching

Funding:

NIH/NEI R01 grant: 鈥淭argeting Interleukin-6 cis-trans balance in M眉ller cell dysfunction鈥�

NIH/NEI R01 grant: 鈥淪ex-specific Influences on tear microRNAs in dry eye disease鈥�

Intramural Grant: Investigating Potential Treatments for Dry Eye Disease in Mouse Models

Teaching:

Course Director, Translational Genomics and Proteomics (GNMD 8051)

Course Director, Genomic Medicine Seminar (GNMD 8060)
Course Director, Functional Genomics and Proteomics Using Animal Models (GNMD8052)

Selected Publications & Media Articles

Kontoh-Twumasi R, Aliste A, Scheid A, Lax K, Glass J, Sharma A, Sharma S. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2026)

Kontoh-Twumasi R, Aliste A, Scheid A, Glass J, Sharma A, Sharma S.鈥�Experimental Eye Research (2025)

Glass J, Robinson R, Edupuganti N, Altman J, Greenway G, Lee TJ, Zhi W, Sharma A, Sharma S.鈥�Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2024)

Glass J, Robinson RL, Greenway G, Jones G, Sharma S.鈥�Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2023)

Robinson R, Glass J, Sharma A, Sharma S.鈥�Scientific Reports (2022)

Glass J, Robinson R, Lee TJ, Sharma A, Sharma S.鈥�International Journal of Translational Medicine (2021)

Sharma S. Frontiers in Physiology (2021)

Robinson R, Youngblood H, Iyer H, Bloom J, Lee TJ, Chang L, Lukowski Z, Zhi W, Sharma A, Sharma S. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2020)

Robinson R, Srinivasan M, Shanmugan A, Ward A, Ganapathy V, Bloom J,鈥疭harma A, Sharma S.鈥�Redox Biology (2020)
Valle M, Dworshak J, Sharma A, Ibrahim A, Al-Shabrawey M, Sharma S. Experimental Eye Research (2019)