Developing functional vision in a single-photoreceptor retina
Official title: Development of functional plasticity in a simplex retina.
Funded at San Francisco State University · NIH-11369938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how a pure-rod retina in a small ocean animal could reveal ways to restore vision when one type of photoreceptor dies in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Francisco State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $155,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16EY038628-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable at this stage; foundational work in a non-human model.
✕Less likely to help
Direct clinical benefit to patients is not immediate, as this is a basic science study in a non-human model.
What this research studies
This project looks at how vision works when only one type of photoreceptor is present, using the pure-rod retina of the Little Skate. Researchers will compare how this retina processes light across different intensities to understand how to overcome the loss of one photoreceptor type. The findings could point to new strategies for restoring sight in people with diseases like age-related macular degeneration. The work combines basic science with translational potential, aiming to inform future therapies for vision restoration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide new approaches to restore or improve vision in patients who have lost one type of photoreceptor.
How similar studies have gone: Similar animal-model research has provided insights into photoreceptor function, but applying these findings to human vision remains an ongoing challenge.
Where this research is happening
-
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anastassov, Ivan — San Francisco State University
- Study coordinator: Anastassov, Ivan
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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.