Driving Innovation in Ocular Disease Research and Clinical Trials

Expert Team Advancing Translational Ocular Research Through Multi-Omics, Clinical Trials, and Cutting-Edge Bioinformatics

The Seinda Laboratory

Advancing eye health through cutting-edge multi-omics research and decades of expertise in immunology and ophthalmology.

Our team specializes in immunology, systems biology, and bioinformatics, with a strong focus on disease mechanisms and multi-omics analysis. We have extensive experience in ophthalmology research, biomarker discovery, and ocular drug trials. Founder and CEO Dr. Jing-feng Huang, a Ph.D. graduate from the Scripps Research Institute, is a leading expert in dry eye research with over 20 years of experience and more than 30 publications in top journals. She also served on the advisory board for the NEI-funded DREAM clinical trial.

Biomarkers

​Biomarkers refer to biochemical indicators that can mark changes or potential changes in the system, organs, tissues, cells, and subcellular structures or functions. They often originate from human tissues or body fluids and have a wide range of applications. Tears and conjunctival impression cytology are easily accessible clinical samples in ophthalmology and can be used for biomarker research.
 

Tears are rich in proteins and metabolites, and changes in their composition are typically closely associated with the physiological or pathological status of the eyes. Therefore, the analysis and detection of tear components and changes in the levels of biomarkers can be used to explore the molecular mechanisms of diseases, providing scientific basis for clinical diagnosis and drug evaluation.

Conjunctival impression cytology samples contain conjunctival epithelial cells, goblet cells, and immune cells, and they can be used to detect the expression levels of specific genes such as mucins and inflammatory factors. This assessment helps evaluate the physiological or pathological status of the ocular surface.

 
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Sample Types

Multi-omics Technology Platforms

Multi-Proteomics Platforms

Our assay can rapidly detect nearly a thousand protein markers in micro clinical samples, with detection limits as low as fg/mL. We offer a variety of pre-combined research panels, including those for dry eye, inflammation factors, immunology, cytokines, and metalloproteinases. We also offer exploration series, for example 384 inflammation factors and 1536/3072 extensive protein exploration etc.

Features of our assay include: ultra-small sample volume requirements of 1~6μL; ultra-high throughput, allowing rapid detection of nearly a thousand protein markers in batch samples; high sensitivity, with detection limits reaching fg/mL; and a wide detection range spanning 10 orders of magnitude, covering proteins of high, medium, and low abundance.

Multi-Genomics Platforms

Serving for the screening for biomarkers and targets related to precise disease subtyping, diagnosis, and treatment, providing significant technical support for breakthroughs in basic ophthalmology research, medical diagnostics, and personalized medicine. Our sequencing service includes transcriptome sequencing, metagenome sequencing, and epigenetic sequencing, all tailored with personalized designs to flexibly meet a variety of requirements.

Molecular Biology Technology Platform

Detection of expression levels for DNA, mRNA, and small RNA, including absolute/relative quantification, qualitative analysis, gene typing, etc. Diverse sample types include tissues, cells, conjunctival impression cytology, and more.

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Brad McMillan

Investment Partner

Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI, is the chief investment officer and a managing principal at Commonwealth. With the firm since 2006, he oversees the firm’s investment and asset management groups and acts as spokesperson for the firm’s investment divisions. Brad comments frequently on the markets and economy for a range of media outlets and writes daily for his blog, the Independent Market Observer. He’s a designated member of the Appraisal Institute, the CFA Institute, and the CAIA Association.

Kim Tillinghast

CPFA™, Principal, Partner

Kim Tillinghast began her career in the banking industry in 1985. She graduated with a degree in Finance from West Texas State University in 1990 and has continued her education by earning her Series 24 General Securities Principal Exam and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA™). Shortly thereafter she started her brokerage career at a traditional wirehouse in downtown Los Angeles, California in 1991. After relocating to Orange County, Kim became an independent financial advisor in May of 1993. She brings over 37 years in the banking and finance industry with experience ranging from designing, developing, employing and maintaining complex investment strategies, Pension Plans, Employee Stock Option Plans, Corporate Finance, Estate Planning and Transition. Outside of her career, she served as Co-Chair of the Dallas County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 2013 and 2014 and currently serves on the Board of the Tillinghast Society, Inc. With a deep love for animals, she continues to volunteer for multiple emergency animal response teams including Red Rover, HSUS, UAN, ASPCA and volunteers weekly at the Irving Animal Shelter. Kim also loves worldwide adventure travel and has many amazing experiences visiting almost half of the world’s countries and all seven continents, twice.

Karthik Muraliraj

CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RMA®, Partner

Karthik Muraliraj was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and developed an interest in investing and economics at a young age. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Business, he started his career as a financial professional in 2008. Throughout his career, Karthik has continued to educate himself by gaining multiple designations. Since moving to Dallas, he has been an active member in the community—volunteering with organizations such as the network of Indian Professionals, Dallas Autumn Ball and Reading Partners. Karthik is an avid sports fan and enjoys supporting his alma mater as a proud member of the Texas Exes Dallas Chapter. In his free time, Karthik enjoys cooking, travel, fitness and spending time with this wife, son, dog, and cat.

Crystal Arredondo

MBA, CDFA®, CPFA™, Partner

Crystal Arredondo was born and raised in Germany. She moved to Texas following her parents’ decision to retire after serving an overseas career in the Armed Forces. Seeing firsthand the difficult transition to civilian life after retirement, Crystal obtained her MBA in Finance at the University of North Texas and began her career as a financial advisor. In 2009, she completed the Retirement Planning Specialist Program at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. In 2018, she earned her designation of Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®). In 2022, she earned the additional designation as a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA™). As the daughter of an immigrant mother, she especially enjoys helping women and business owners make decisions that affect their financial independence. She served as the 2015-16 Chair for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and 2016-17 Chair for the NAWBO Institute of Entrepreneurial Development.

Philip Strunk

CFP®, CPA, Partner

Philip Strunk is a native of Houston, TX. Philip earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. He earned his designation as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 2004 and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM) certification in 2010. Having started his career with Deloitte & Touche, LLP in 2005, Philip spent a year and a half in Deloitte’s Audit and Assurance Services group and provided a variety of financial services for a number of Fortune 500 companies. He decided in late 2006 that his talent and passion for investments were best suited for working with smaller groups and individuals. After obtaining the required securities registrations and insurance licenses, Philip became a financial advisor. The impact was plainly visible and more fulfilling. Philip serves as the Investment Director for MPACT.

John C. Farris

CAP®, CFS®, Partner

John C. Farris is a founding partner and has more than forty years in both public and private business serving in a variety of management and leadership capacities. John completed the Retirement Planning Specialist Program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania earning the Retirement Planning Specialist designation. John and his family have a history of philanthropic giving through numerous non-profit organizations. John recently completed his designation as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®). He is also a member of The International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy. His primary goal is to help people give intelligently with love and thereby experience the true joy of helping others. John lives in Park Cities and has served on the Public Works Advisory Council, as finance director of the BSA West Park District, the BSA Troop 82 Executive Board, and as a BSA Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 82, Dallas, Texas.