How diabetes and aging damage the cornea
Diabetic Keratopathy and Aging
Researchers will use zebrafish to understand how diabetes plus getting older harms the cornea, aiming to help adults with diabetes who have corneal problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a zebrafish model to mimic diabetic cornea problems in juvenile, young adult, and aged animals exposed to high glucose. Researchers will measure changes in genes and proteins in the cornea and watch how wounds heal after a controlled injury. By comparing different ages and lengths of glucose exposure, they aim to pinpoint how diabetes and aging together damage corneal repair and function. Results will guide future work toward treatments to protect or restore the cornea in older adults with diabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with diabetes who have corneal symptoms such as reduced corneal sensation, slow wound healing, chronic inflammation, or recurrent corneal infections are the population this research ultimately aims to help.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to prevent or treat corneal complications in older adults with diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Animal-model studies have previously provided useful insights into diabetic eye disease, but applying zebrafish findings to human treatments will require additional research and clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balne, Praveen K — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Balne, Praveen K
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.