University of Pennsylvania · BiologyBeltran Lab
William A. Beltran · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. William A. Beltran’s lab focuses on understanding and treating inherited retinal diseases, which can cause blindness. They work primarily with canine models that mimic these human diseases, helping to unravel the genetic and molecular basis of conditions like retinitis pigmentosa. By developing new therapies based on their findings, they aim to improve the quality of life for patients with these previously untreatable conditions.
retinal diseasesgene therapycanine modelscell therapyretinitis pigmentosaocular researchmolecular mechanismspreclinical studiesbiological modeling
Research Aims
5AIM 01Understand the genetic mutations causing inherited retinal diseases.
AIM 02Develop and test new therapies to treat retinal degeneration.
AIM 03Utilize canine models to establish preclinical proof-of-principle for therapies.
AIM 04Investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying retinal diseases.
AIM 05Collaborate with other researchers to enhance research outcomes.
Skills the Lab Values
canine breedingmolecular biology techniquesgene therapy techniquescell culturepreclinical testingphotoreceptor analysisdata analysisclinical trial protocolsgenetic sequencing
Output against the department
Publications181top 37% of dept.377th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.2kbottom 24% of dept.784th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.