Genes behind age-related retinal vision loss
Molecular Genetics of Age-Dependent Retinal Degeneration
This work looks at how gene changes that disrupt fat handling in eye cells may lead to age-related macular degeneration and related vision loss for people with AMD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164738 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone worried about vision loss, the team uses mice that show early retinal aging and AMD-like damage to learn what goes wrong in the eye. They focus on a gene called TMEM135 and study how its change alters lipid (fat) handling, peroxisomes, and mitochondrial shape and function in retinal cells. The researchers measure retinal fats like DHA, count peroxisomes, examine inflammation and retinal pigment epithelium health, and compare normal mice to those with the TMEM135 mutation. The goal is to connect these cellular changes to photoreceptor loss and other signs of age-related retinal degeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with age-related macular degeneration or those at high risk for AMD who are interested in research focused on lipid metabolism in the retina.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss is caused by non-AMD conditions or by causes unrelated to lipid metabolism may not directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new targets or strategies to protect retinal cells and slow or prevent AMD-related vision loss.
How similar studies have performed: Genetic and epidemiological studies have linked lipid metabolism to AMD and related mouse models have reproduced some AMD features, but turning these findings into proven treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ikeda, Akihiro — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Ikeda, Akihiro
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.