High-resolution imaging of the retina with advanced light technology
Official title: High Resolution Functional Imaging of the Retina
Funded at University of Waterloo · NIH-11390981 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to safely visualize individual cells in living eyes using next-generation imaging to better understand visual function and cellular energy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Waterloo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waterloo, Canada) |
| Project start | April 1, 2012 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $302,124 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY022371-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390981 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals or animal models used in retinal research where high-resolution, non-invasive retinal imaging could be applied to study visual cycle molecules and cellular metabolism.
✕Less likely to help
Participants in future clinical translation would be necessary to directly benefit; this grant’s current work is primarily method development and pre-clinical in nature.
What this research studies
Researchers will further develop two-photon excited fluorescence ophthalmoscopy (TPEFO) combined with adaptive optics to non-invasively image different retinal cells in vivo. They will measure how molecules involved in the visual cycle behave in response to light and track changes in fluorescence lifetime to gain insights into cellular metabolism. This work is designed to be done in pre-clinical animal models and could inform future studies in human vision science. The project focuses on advancing imaging methods that could help diagnose or monitor retinal diseases by revealing molecular and cellular dynamics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the imaging approach could improve understanding of retinal biology and inform future diagnostic or therapeutic strategies for retinal diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work using two-photon imaging and adaptive optics has shown promise in revealing retinal cellular dynamics, suggesting potential for future clinical application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunter, Jennifer J — University of Waterloo
- Study coordinator: Hunter, Jennifer J
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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.