How metabolism affects gene regulation in the aging eye
Official title: Chromatin connects metabolism to circadian gene regulation in the aging eye
Funded at Purdue University · NIH-11010336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how changes in metabolism affect gene activity in the aging eye, using fruit flies to understand how a key molecule might influence eye health and contribute to age-related vision problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $373,390 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033734-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing age-related changes in vision or those at risk for retinal degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with retinal degeneration due to non-age-related factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between metabolism and gene regulation in the aging eye, focusing on how changes in metabolic pathways impact the epigenome. It examines the role of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a key molecule derived from methionine, in regulating histone and DNA methylation. By studying the aging Drosophila eye, the research aims to uncover how alterations in methionine metabolism lead to changes in gene expression and contribute to retinal degeneration. The findings could provide insights into the mechanisms of age-related eye diseases and potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating age-related retinal degeneration.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that metabolic interventions can influence aging processes, suggesting potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Purdue University
West Lafayette, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weake, Vikki Marie — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Weake, Vikki Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.