Humanin-like gene and mitochondrial health in age-related macular degeneration
Official title: Nuclear encoded Humanin Isoforms and Mitochondria in Age-related Macular Degeneration
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11267232 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at a gene called MTRNR2L1 and how it affects the energy-making parts of eye cells in people with age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $200,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EY035810-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11267232 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with intermediate AMD or neovascular AMD and donors of eye tissue would be the most relevant participants for this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without AMD or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic science project.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine human donor maculas and laboratory retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and choroidal cells to see how MTRNR2L1 behaves in AMD-related stress conditions like oxidative stress, low oxygen, and inflammation. They will use molecular biology methods to determine whether MTRNR2L1 makes a protein or acts as a long noncoding RNA and will study its effects on mitochondria and cell survival. The team will compare samples from eyes with intermediate AMD and neovascular AMD to normal tissue to understand disease links. Findings will guide whether MTRNR2L1 might be a useful target for future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal a new molecular target to protect retinal cells and help prevent or treat neovascular AMD.
How similar studies have gone: Related research on humanin peptides has shown protective effects in cells, but MTRNR2L1 is a newly highlighted isoform and its role in AMD is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Sarah X — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Sarah X
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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.