How the eye's light-sensing cells stay healthy
Phototransduction in health and disease
This research looks at how changes in calcium and cGMP inside photoreceptor cells may cause damage in people with inherited retinal degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11303340 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team is exploring whether imbalances in cGMP and calcium in the light-detecting outer part of photoreceptors cause stress in the inner part where the cell's powerhouses (mitochondria) sit. They use genetically modified mice whose rods and cones carry calcium sensors that change color with calcium levels so researchers can watch calcium in different cell compartments. Imaging is done with a very sensitive multiphoton microscope under extremely low light and with mice that have reduced phototransduction so the cells are not activated by the imaging itself. The goal is to trace how outer-segment calcium problems could lead to inner-segment mitochondrial stress and trigger photoreceptor cell death in retinal degeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited retinal degenerations or progressive photoreceptor disorders (for example, certain forms of retinitis pigmentosa) are the patients most likely to benefit from findings and future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is due to non-photoreceptor causes (for example, advanced optic nerve disease or macular disorders unrelated to phototransduction) may not see direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to protect photoreceptors and slow or prevent vision loss in retinal degenerative diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies using calcium sensors and mouse models have advanced understanding of photoreceptor signaling, but directly linking outer-segment calcium buildup to inner-segment mitochondrial stress and cell death is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Jeannie — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Chen, Jeannie
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.