Lu Chen

Lu Chen, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, with appointments in the Center for Eye Disease and Development, Vision Science Graduate Program, and School of Optometry & Vision Science. She additionally serves as Adjunct faculty at The Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, and teaches graduate courses including Vision Science 212G (Molecular Genetics of Vertebrate Eye Development), 206A (Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye), 206D (Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology), and 212D (Anatomy and Vegetative Physiology).

Dr. Chen's research centers on molecular and cellular mechanisms of ocular inflammation and immunity, specifically lymphatic and blood vessel development. The cornea serves as her primary model due to its transparency and vessel-inducible properties. Key discoveries include lymphatic features in Schlemm's canal (critical for aqueous humor drainage) and functional lymphatics in the optic nerve, offering new pathways for glaucoma treatment. Her work demonstrates how corneal lymphatics accelerate transplant rejection by enhancing antigen delivery, with broader implications for cancer metastasis, diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory disorders.

Analysis of Dr. Chen's recent publications reveals a dominant focus on ocular lymphatic dynamics, utilizing intravital imaging, tissue clearing, and light-sheet microscopy. Recurring themes include molecular regulation of lymphatic valve formation (via integrins and angiopoietins), discovery of novel lymphatic pathways connecting Schlemm's canal to ocular surfaces, and therapeutic strategies targeting lymphatic vessels to improve corneal transplant survival and treat glaucoma.

Dr. Chen leads a research group within UC Berkeley's Center for Eye Disease and Development, employing advanced techniques to investigate lymphatic biology in eye disease models. Her laboratory's work on glymphatic clearance systems and lymphatic-immune interactions positions her at the forefront of translating vascular discoveries into clinical applications for ocular and systemic diseases.