Helping retinal nerve cells regrow connections after injury
Deciphering the Transcriptional Regulatory Network Controlling RGC Axon Growth to Promote RGC Axon Regeneration and Cell Survival after Axonal Injury
Researchers are looking for the gene switches that help retinal ganglion cells (the eye's nerve cells) regrow their long nerve fibers after injury to help people with optic nerve or other central nervous system injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304611 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will hear about lab work that looks at retinal ganglion cells at different stages of development to learn which genes change as neurons mature. The team uses RNA sequencing to see which genes are active and ATAC-seq to map which parts of the DNA are open and can be turned on. They combine those data with advanced computer analyses to find key transcription factors that control axon growth, and then use CRISPR methods in the lab to test whether changing those regulators improves axon regrowth and cell survival. The goal is to find targets that could lead to future treatments to help damaged nerve fibers in the eye regrow.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future trial candidates would be people with recent optic nerve or retinal ganglion cell injury or diseases that damage retinal nerve fibers, such as traumatic optic neuropathy or certain forms of glaucoma.
Not a fit: People with unrelated health conditions or those needing immediate clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatment targets that encourage damaged retinal nerves to regrow and survive, potentially improving vision after optic nerve injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have boosted axon growth in animal models by changing specific genes, but turning those findings into consistent functional recovery in people has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xuewei — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xuewei
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.