Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Gordon Laurie, PhD, is a Professor of Cell Biology
Transcript
There are no effective treatments for many chronic diseases. One approach is an unbiased screen. We did this to address the most common eye disease and discovered a new protein that we named Lacritin. We have now successfully taken Lacritin into a large clinical trial, with two more underway. This basic science exploration and discovery, linked to clinical, translation is what I love about research. My name is Gordon Laurie. I am a professor of cell biology. The more my team studies Lacritin, the more interesting features and potential applications we discover. As cell biologists, we dissect how Lacritin works and seek out other labs in the US and overseas to help. Our goal is a more rigorous understanding that is essential for further clinical application. This discovery has inspired the founding of two companies. One is developing Lacritin eye drops for chronic surface-of-the-eye diseases. It is also collaborating with the US Army to study whether the same drug will accelerate ocular wound healing, such as occurs in the field or after Lasik surgery. Using a different Lacritin drug, another company is seeking to prevent the early onset of type 1 diabetes. Both may take years to FDA approval. We hope that this research, made possible with NIH funding, your tax dollars, will benefit many, both here and worldwide.
Gordon Laurie, PhD, is a Professor of Cell Biology
Transcript
There are no effective treatments for many chronic diseases. One approach is an unbiased screen. We did this to address the most common eye disease and discovered a new protein that we named Lacritin. We have now successfully taken Lacritin into a large clinical trial, with two more underway. This basic science exploration and discovery, linked to clinical, translation is what I love about research. My name is Gordon Laurie. I am a professor of cell biology. The more my team studies Lacritin, the more interesting features and potential applications we discover. As cell biologists, we dissect how Lacritin works and seek out other labs in the US and overseas to help. Our goal is a more rigorous understanding that is essential for further clinical application. This discovery has inspired the founding of two companies. One is developing Lacritin eye drops for chronic surface-of-the-eye diseases. It is also collaborating with the US Army to study whether the same drug will accelerate ocular wound healing, such as occurs in the field or after Lasik surgery. Using a different Lacritin drug, another company is seeking to prevent the early onset of type 1 diabetes. Both may take years to FDA approval. We hope that this research, made possible with NIH funding, your tax dollars, will benefit many, both here and worldwide.
