Description of Clinical Expertise

Dr. Jeffrey M. Sundstrom is a physician-scientist at the Scheie Eye Institute, part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, where he specializes in both treating and researching complex diseases of the retina. His clinical work focuses on conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and ocular tumors. In parallel, he leads a research program aimed at uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind these diseases, his work emphasizes the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of ocular biofluids—namely, the vitreous and aqueous humor—as accessible sources of disease-relevant molecular information.

Description of Research Expertise

The Sundstrom Lab investigates the molecular pathogenesis of major retinal disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and ocular tumors. Our research program emphasizes:
• Mechanistic interrogation of retinal and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction
• Molecular profiling of vitreous and aqueous humor as platforms for liquid biopsy
• Characterization of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as key carriers of proteins, nucleic acids, and signaling molecules in retinal disease
• Discovery and validation of disease-associated molecular signatures to enable precision diagnostics and patient stratification
A core strength of the laboratory is the active development of a large, clinically annotated ocular fluid biorepository. The lab is building and expanding a comprehensive repository of vitreous and aqueous humor samples collected during retinal surgery, linked to detailed clinical phenotypes and outcomes.
Using state-of-the-art proteomics and molecular profiling approaches, we analyze both EV cargo and bulk ocular fluid composition to identify disease-specific molecular patterns. These studies support the development of minimally invasive diagnostic strategies and provide insight into EV-mediated intercellular communication, with implications for therapeutic targeting and drug delivery.