3D engineered models of the retina's inner blood‑retina barrier
Engineering three-dimensional perfusable microphysiological models of the human inner blood-retina barrier
Building 3D lab models of the retina's tiny blood‑vessel barrier to help researchers develop better treatments for retinal vascular diseases like diabetic retinopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11250007 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds 3‑D lab‑grown, blood‑flow‑capable models of the inner blood‑retina barrier using human retinal endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes. The team will create separate models that mimic post‑capillary venules and capillaries and add realistic supporting extracellular materials. They will control fluid flow, vessel size, and tissue environment to reproduce healthy retinal conditions and then study how the barrier fails in disease. The models are intended for testing how cells respond to stress and for screening potential therapies without relying on animal models.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with retinal vascular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy or macular edema would be the likely beneficiaries, although the project mainly uses lab‑grown tissues rather than enrolling patients.
Not a fit: People whose eye problems stem from non‑vascular causes, such as inherited photoreceptor diseases, are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could speed understanding of retinal blood‑vessel damage and help develop better, faster treatments for conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have performed: Organ‑on‑chip and blood‑brain barrier models have shown promise, but fully perfusable 3‑D human inner blood‑retina barrier models are still relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gerecht, Sharon — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Gerecht, Sharon
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.