Engineered Cornea Chip to Study Keratoconus Curvature
Official title: Decoding Curvature-Dependent Keratoconus Pathology Using an Engineered Human Cornea Chip
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11450784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly model of keratoconus will be created on a tiny, engineered eye chip to study how shape changes affect eye tissue and to identify potential new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $620,926 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY037789-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with keratoconus or corneal tissue samples may contribute to validating the model, especially those available for research collaborations.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without keratoconus are unlikely to benefit directly from this model.
What this research studies
Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea thins and bulges, causing distorted vision. This project will build a living, miniature cornea on a chip to mimic real eye tissues and test how curvature impacts cells in the epithelium, stroma, and endothelium. By manipulating curvature and membranes that resemble natural barriers, researchers aim to reveal how mechanical stress drives disease pathways and to validate targets for therapy. The goal is a controllable, ethically sound platform that can be used to explore new treatments beyond current options like cross-linking or transplantation. Researchers will also test gene-based or material-based interventions in this chip model to see if they can halt or reverse disease processes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from new, more precise therapeutic strategies for keratoconus developed from this chip model.
How similar studies have gone: Similar organ-on-a-chip approaches have shown promise in replicating human tissue responses, supporting innovative directions for KC.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Jungkyu (Jay) — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Kim, Jungkyu (Jay)
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How hormones and the pituitary may affect keratoconus
This project looks at whether sex hormones and pituitary signals change the cornea in people with keratoconus to help explain why the disease starts and progresses.
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Cell and genetic causes of keratoconus
Researchers are analyzing cell changes and genes in people with keratoconus to find early warning signs and new treatment targets.
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Wide-view cornea imaging to detect keratoconus
This project is building a wide-field corneal OCT scan to spot tiny early changes in the cornea in people with or at risk for keratoconus.
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Exploring the connection between keratoconus and sex hormones
This study is looking at how sex hormones might affect keratoconus, an eye condition that can worsen vision, to help find better ways to manage it and improve care for people dealing with this issue.
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Improving early detection of keratoconus using advanced imaging technology
This study is testing a new imaging technology that helps doctors spot keratoconus earlier by taking detailed pictures of the eye's surface, which could lead to better treatment and help protect your vision.
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Preventing cell death in corneal cells to treat keratoconus without surgery
This study is looking for new ways to help people with keratoconus, a condition that affects vision by thinning the cornea, by finding treatments that can keep important cells in the eye alive and healthy.
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.