Advanced eye imaging for abnormal blood vessels in wet macular degeneration
Multimodal Molecular Imaging of Choroidal Neovascularization
This project will create high-resolution eye imaging tools to spot and track abnormal blood vessel growth in people with wet age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184519 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are building a rabbit model that mimics stubborn leaking blood vessels seen in wet AMD so they can study treatments over time. They combine three imaging methods—photoacoustic microscopy (PAM), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescence microscopy—along with tiny gold nanoparticle clusters that bind to vessel proteins to make disease signals stronger. The system is designed for non-invasive, repeatable imaging so scientists can watch disease biomarkers and treatment effects as they develop. The aim is to provide a platform that speeds testing of new therapies and helps identify earlier signs that a treatment is working or failing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with active wet age-related macular degeneration, especially those with persistent disease activity despite anti-VEGF injections, are the group most likely to benefit from advances enabled by this work.
Not a fit: People with dry (non-neovascular) AMD or other eye conditions that do not involve choroidal neovascularization are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help researchers develop and refine better treatments for wet AMD by giving clearer, earlier information about disease activity and treatment response.
How similar studies have performed: Standard OCT imaging is widely used in AMD care, but combining PAM and targeted nanoparticle molecular imaging is largely novel and remains at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paulus, Yannis Mantas — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Paulus, Yannis Mantas
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.