Glycosylation and corneal nerve health
Official title: Glycosylation in ocular surface health and disease
Funded at Tufts Medical Center · NIH-11418907 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientists’ team at Tufts Medical Center is studying how sugars attached to proteins affect healing and feeling in the eye’s surface after injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2016 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,213 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY026147-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418907 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with corneal injuries or diseases affecting corneal nerves and sensation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without corneal nerve involvement or those not undergoing corneal injury or related conditions may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how different sugar molecules (glycans) on nerves around the cornea influence nerve regrowth and sensation after injury. By studying the trigeminal ganglion, which sends sensory information to the cornea, researchers hope to uncover how glycosylation changes impact nerve signaling and corneal health. The work combines lab studies of human tissue and animal models to understand disease-related changes that can lead to dryness, pain, and vision problems. Insights from this research could guide new ways to promote nerve repair and improve comfort for people with corneal injuries or disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that enhance corneal nerve healing and reduce pain or dryness after injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows glycans influence nerve growth, but this project aims to map glycans in the trigeminal ganglion and link them to corneal sensation, which is a novel focus.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Argueso, Pablo — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Argueso, Pablo
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.