Ingolfsland Lab: Retinopathy of Prematurity Research Program

Laboratory Focus

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a common, vision-impairing disease among very preterm infants and is multifactorial in its pathogenesis. The Ingolfsland Lab investigates the role of specific clinical comorbidities experienced by preterm infants on the development of ROP. Current experiments are focused on the impact of anemia on retinal vascular development and mechanisms involved. It is our goal to identify key pathways that are common to multiple comorbidities that can then be targeted for preventative or therapeutic interventions.

Our laboratory is a basic science laboratory and utilizes the 50/10 rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Common laboratory techniques employed include in vivo experiments, retinal immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA.

Current Protocols

Current protocols that are being worked on seek to define the role of anemia and its treatment with recombinant erythropoietin on retinal vascularization in a neonatal rat model of retinopathy of prematurity.

Student Training Opportunities

The Ingolfsland Lab is happy to involve students, residents, fellows, and other trainees in our research. Please contact Ellen Ingolfsland at eingolf@umn.edu to discuss specific opportunities.

Current Lab Member

Mandkhai Molomjamts - Junior Scientist

Mandkhai joined the lab as a Researcher 1 in July 2020. She has B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota. Mandkhai works with Dr. Ingolfsland in defining the role of anemia on retinal vascularization in a neonatal rat model of retinopathy of prematurity. She plans to pursue Ph.D. in molecular biology and explore her main research interests. 

Ellen Ingolfsland

Principal Investigator

Ellen Ingolfsland, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatology
Department of Pediatrics

Laboratory Location

PWB 13-115
516 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN, 55455