Fu-Shin X. Yu, Ph.D., professor of Ophthalmology and Anatomy/Cell Biology for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and director of research at the Kresge Eye Institute, received an award from the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue his study of "Molecular regulation of corneal wound healing."

This study will use a variety of technologies to study why the corneas  -- the front, dome-shaped transparent tissue of the eye -- in many diabetic patients have delayed wound healing. In light of an ever-increasing patient population with diabetes and the lack of effective treatments for the disease, this study is of paramount importance.

Dr. Yu has received funding for this project since 1995. In 2008, he was awarded a five-year, $1.9 million grant to continue his research, bringing the total project period to 18 years.

In addition to the renewal of his ongoing project, Dr. Yu was also awarded a second R01 in 2008 from the NEI to identify ways to mediate the innate immunity of the eye, leading to the development of natural defense mechanisms against bacterial keratitis, a sight-threatening corneal disease associated with trauma and contact-lens wearing.