Helping premature babies' retinas grow healthy blood vessels
Reparative angiogenesis in ischemic retinopathy
Looking for ways to help the underdeveloped retinas of premature infants grow normal blood vessels to prevent vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249635 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to understand why blood vessels fail to grow into oxygen-starved parts of the retina in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Researchers will study the cells and signals that control vessel growth using laboratory models and human tissue samples to identify mechanisms that promote healthy revascularization. The team plans to use those findings to design early treatments that encourage physiologic vessel growth, reduce harmful abnormal vessels, and protect vision. Over time the work could guide new therapies given before severe disease develops, rather than treating late-stage complications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Premature infants at risk for or in the early stages of retinopathy of prematurity, and their families, would be the main focus for any future clinical approaches.
Not a fit: Babies with advanced retinal scarring or long-standing vision loss are unlikely to benefit from reparative angiogenesis approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could prevent blindness in premature infants by promoting normal retinal blood vessel growth and avoiding destructive late-stage treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Current treatments like laser therapy and anti-VEGF injections address late-stage disease, while strategies to actively promote revascularization are newer and have seen limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Duh, Elia J — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Duh, Elia J
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.