Ordan Lehmann

Dr. Ordan Lehmann is a professor of Ophthalmology, and Medical Genetics, at the University of Alberta. His clinical interests encompass the management of patients with glaucoma and inherited disease while his research focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying ocular and neurogenetic disorders.

Over the last 15 years, Dr. Lehmann and his laboratory have used pediatric ocular disorders as entry-points for identifying molecular pathways important to a wider range of human disease. One example has been coloboma, where causative genes have been shown to result in a wider range of pediatric disorders, including Lebers Congenital Amaurosis and vertebral fusions. A second is Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome, and studies of this pediatric glaucoma subtype have identified novel molecular causes of CNS anomalies, corneal vascularisation as well as cerebrovascular disease.

Complementing such studies is the research undertaken by Alberta Vision Net (AVN), which brings together investigators from multiple Departments at the Universities of Alberta and Calgary to advance understanding and treatment of Ophthalmic Disease. Established in 2015, our network provides the skill sets [Gene Therapy, Drug Design, Clinical Ophthalmology and Molecular Biology] essential for developing treatment approaches for complex clinical disorders.  Alberta Vision Net undertakes high quality interdisciplinary research while providing an enhanced educational environment for our trainees. Examples of some recent publications are shown below, together with information for trainees who wish to contribute to current research.

Selected Publications

Non-synonomous variants in PMEL cause ocular pigment disperion and pigmentary glaucoma.      Lahola-Chomiak AA, Footz T, Nguyen-Phuoc K, Neil GJ, Fan B, Allen KF, Greenfield DS, Parrish RK, Linkroum K, Pasquale LR, Leonhardt RM, Ritch R, Javadiyan S, Craig JE, Ted Allison, Lehmann OJ, Walter MA, Wiggs JL.  Human Molecular Genetics (2019)

Superior coloboma: a novel disease that reflects a newly discovered feature of ocular development.   Hocking JC, Famulski J, Yoon KH, Widen SA, Bernsetin CS, Koch S, Weiss O, FORGE Canada, Consortium, Agarwala S, Inbal A, Lehmann OJ, Waskiewicz AJ.   PLoS Genetics (2018)

Genetic Background-Dependent Role of Egr1 for Eyelid Development.    Oh J, Wang Y, Chen S, Li P, Du N, Yu ZX, Butcher D, Gebregiorgis T, Strachan E, Lehmann OJ, Brooks BP, Chan CC, Leonard WJ.   Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences  (2017) 114:E7131-E7139         

Identification of additional risk loci for stroke and small vessel disease: a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies.   Neurology Working Group of the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium, Stroke Genetics Network, and International Stroke Genetics Consortium.    Lancet Neurology (2016) 15:695-707       

Positions and Available Projects 

We have continuous opportunities for bright, motivated and independent individuals with interests in cell biology, genetics and or neuroscience. Applicants who possess excellent writing and laboratory skills, who wish to work in a cross-disciplinary team, are encouraged to apply by submitting their CV and 3 references to   olehmann@ualberta.ca 

The available projects relate to the contribution of ciliary dysfunction to a breadth of pediatric and adult disease, with a particular focus on neurogenetic and ocular disorders. The lab benefits from stable funding (from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research) until 2024, and is actively looking for exceptional trainees to help accelerate research progress

Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Alberta Innovates

Women and Children's Health Research Institute

Canadian Glaucoma Research Society