Jie Gong

Jie Gong, MD, PhD, is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Yale School of Medicine. His research focuses on developing stem cell-based therapies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly investigating retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor regeneration using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. He holds a PhD in Retinal Diseases from Pierre et Marie Curie University (2006) and an MD from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (1997).

His work emphasizes ECM-guided stem cell differentiation, disease modeling via patient-derived fibroblasts, and high-throughput screening for AMD therapies. Key projects include culturing RPE cells on aged Bruch’s membrane models and understanding nitration effects on RPE function. Collaborations with colleagues like Dr. Lawrence Rizzolo and Dr. Mark Fields highlight interdisciplinary efforts in AMD pathogenesis and regenerative strategies.

Publications span 2008-2021, emphasizing cellular metabolism, ECM modifications, and iPSC-derived RPE phenotypes. His research bridges basic science with translational medicine, aiming to restore vision through RPE transplantation and ECM-based scaffolds.