Developing non-invasive tests to assess retinal function
Official title: Non-Invasive Functional Assessments for Translational Retinal Therapeutics
Funded at Marquette University · NIH-10654125 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new, gentle ways to check how well the light-sensitive cells in your eyes are working, using tree shrews to help develop these methods, which could improve how we understand and treat vision problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Marquette University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $479,080 |
| NIH project number | 1R15EY033933-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10654125 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing vision loss due to retinal diseases or injuries affecting photoreceptors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to photoreceptor dysfunction or those who do not have access to the specific imaging technologies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating non-invasive tools to evaluate the function of photoreceptors, which are essential for vision. By using a tree shrew model, the study aims to develop techniques that can measure the functional signals of photoreceptors without invasive procedures. The researchers will enhance the reliability and efficiency of these imaging methods and validate them against established measurements of retinal function. This approach could lead to better assessments of therapies aimed at restoring vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new ways to monitor and evaluate treatments for vision impairment caused by photoreceptor dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on photoreceptor function, the specific non-invasive techniques proposed in this study are novel and have not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Marquette University
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Robert F — Marquette University
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Robert F
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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.