Integrative multi-omics to understand diabetic retinopathy
Official title: Integrative multi-omics for discovery of molecular pathways associated with diabetic retinopathy
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11514593 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist team will study blood markers and genetic signals to see why diabetic retinopathy happens and how it affects Hispanic/Latino people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | March 16, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $736,801 |
| NIH project number | 7R01EY036258-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11514593 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 diabetes, especially within Hispanic/Latino communities, who have or are at risk of diabetic retinopathy and consent to blood sampling and genetic/metabolomic analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without diabetes or with advanced, non-replicable retinopathy may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how genes and tiny molecules in blood relate to diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in people with diabetes. Researchers will analyze transcript and metabolite levels in a Hispanic cohort with and without retinopathy, then try to replicate findings in another group. The aim is to connect genomic data to disease mechanisms and to identify signatures that could guide future treatments or prevention. The study emphasizes representation of Hispanic/Latino individuals who carry a high burden of disease and will use blood samples and clinical information to link biology to eye health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal blood markers and biological pathways that help predict, prevent, or treat diabetic retinopathy, especially in high-risk Hispanic/Latino populations.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work has identified biomarkers and genes linked to retinopathy, but this study aims to connect them to mechanisms and increase representation in analyses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Padovani-Claudio, Dolly Ann — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Padovani-Claudio, Dolly Ann
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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.