Hyaluronan in the limbal stem cell niche and its role in preserving eye surface stem cells
Official title: Hyaluronan in the limbal stem cell niche: from regulation of stem cell fate to translational applications
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-11378259 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how a sugar molecule called hyaluronan helps keep stem cells in the eye’s surface healthy, with an eye toward new ways to treat corneal problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $481,946 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY029289-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378259 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be patients with corneal surface disorders where limbal stem cell function is compromised.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-ocular conditions or advanced, irreversible corneal damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers are investigating how the environment around limbal stem cells in the eye uses hyaluronan to maintain stem cell properties. They will look at whether special HA-rich clusters contain progenitor-like cells that could revert to true stem cells, potentially slowing or reversing damage that leads to vision loss. The project also tests whether specific HA complexes and receptors CD44 or RHAMM are key to keeping these stem cells in a healthy state. By understanding these mechanisms, scientists hope to translate findings into better strategies for preserving or restoring the corneal surface.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that protect or restore vision by maintaining or replenishing healthy corneal stem cells.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests HA-rich matrices influence stem cell behavior, supporting potential translational progress for eye surface regeneration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coulson-Thomas, Vivien Jane — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Coulson-Thomas, Vivien Jane
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.