Early detection and noninvasive monitoring of glaucoma-related nerve changes
Official title: Detection and noninvasive monitoring of early stage RGC gene expression changes in glaucoma
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11446671 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to identify and track early molecular changes in retinal nerve cells to help detect glaucoma sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $580,321 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY038474-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446671 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for glaucoma, who would benefit from earlier detection of retinal nerve cell changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glaucoma or with advanced disease not amenable to early biomarker changes may derive no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant will use mouse models of glaucoma to find early gene-expression changes in retinal ganglion cells that occur before noticeable nerve damage. It will apply advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial mapping to identify sensitive biomarkers. By understanding which patients are at risk and how they respond to treatment, this work could guide earlier intervention and smarter management of glaucoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier diagnosis and more personalized treatment plans for glaucoma patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that molecular markers can indicate early nerve cell stress, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frankfort, Benjamin J — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Frankfort, Benjamin J
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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.