Human cell model of optic nerve neurons and support cells in glaucoma
Establishing a human cellular model of retinal ganglion cell compartmentalization in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation
Building a lab-grown human cell system to show how eye nerve cells and nearby support cells react during glaucoma and other causes of vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187194 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating a human-derived cellular system that includes retinal ganglion cells (the nerve cells connecting the eye to the brain) and nearby support cells such as astrocytes and microglia. They will recreate separate cell compartments, expose them to injury- or inflammation-like conditions, and monitor axonal transport and cellular responses. The project uses human cells (for example, patient-derived stem cells or donated tissue) to address differences between animal models and people. The model is intended as a platform to study how neuroinflammation leads to retinal ganglion cell degeneration and to test strategies that might protect those cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma or other optic nerve diseases who can donate blood or eye tissue for creating human cell models would be appropriate contributors.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical care are unlikely to receive personal benefit from contributing samples to this lab-based project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to protect retinal ganglion cells and help slow or prevent vision loss from glaucoma and related optic nerve diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown glial cells affect retinal ganglion cell survival, but human cellular models are newer and this approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Jason Stephen — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Jason Stephen
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.