Improving imaging and treatments for the retina, RPE, and choroid in macular degeneration
Official title: Theranostics of Photoreceptor-RPE-Choroid Neurovascular Unit in Eye Diseases:
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11303434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing high-resolution live imaging and targeted approaches to track and treat changes in the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid that lead to inherited and age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2017 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $601,883 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY026556-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11303434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with inherited retinal dystrophies or early-stage age-related macular degeneration would be the most likely future candidates to benefit from follow-up clinical work based on these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced, irreversible vision loss from late-stage AMD or those whose vision loss stems from non-retinal causes are unlikely to receive direct short-term benefit.
What this research studies
This work uses advanced cellular‑level live imaging in mouse models that reproduce features of inherited and age-related macular degeneration to watch how photoreceptors, RPE cells, and choroidal blood vessels change over time. Some animals are fed a high‑fat diet to speed disease progression so age‑related changes can be observed more quickly. The team combines structural imaging with functional tests to link visible changes to declining retinal function. Findings aim to identify early signs of damage and molecular targets that could guide future patient tests or therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection of retinal damage and new targeted treatments to slow or prevent vision loss from macular degeneration.
How similar studies have gone: High-resolution retinal imaging and animal models have previously helped identify disease markers, but combining cellular-level live imaging with functional testing for theranostic development is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zawadzki, Robert J — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Zawadzki, Robert J
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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.