How cone cells recover after bright light using autophagy
Modulation of cone photoreceptor function by autophagy
This project looks at whether cone cells in the eye use a cellular recycling process called autophagy to help restore sensitivity after bright light, which could matter for people with cone-related vision problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115622 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research studies cone photoreceptors—the cells that let you see in daylight—and how they use autophagy, a cellular recycling system, to cope with bright light and metabolic stress. The team will expose cones to conditions like bright light, fasting, and exercise and use imaging and molecular methods to see when and where autophagy is switched on inside the cells. They will also perform electrophysiology to measure how autophagy affects the cones' ability to regain sensitivity (dark adaptation). The work is laboratory-based and aims to point toward ways to protect or restore cone function in people with vision problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cone-related vision problems—such as early macular degeneration, inherited cone dystrophies, or difficulty recovering after bright light—would be most likely to benefit from findings.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss is caused by optic nerve damage, brain injury, or conditions primarily affecting rod photoreceptors may not benefit from this cone-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect cones or speed recovery of daytime vision and potentially slow cone-related vision loss.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show autophagy supports photoreceptor survival, but linking autophagy specifically to cone-driven dark adaptation and recovery after bright light is a novel direction.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kefalov, Vladimir Jivkov — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Kefalov, Vladimir Jivkov
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.