Investigating a new model for understanding eye development disorders
Official title: Exploring a new model to study developmental eye diseases
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-10833658 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how problems in eye development can lead to vision issues, and it's for anyone interested in understanding eye disorders better; researchers are creating a new model using special stem cells to see how different genes affect the way our eyes form, which could help in finding new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $190,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EY035121-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10833658 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with genetic predispositions to ocular disorders such as aniridia, anophthalmia, or coloboma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with eye disorders not related to developmental issues or those with acquired eye conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how defects in eye development can lead to various ocular disorders that may cause vision loss. The team is developing a novel cell culture model using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create multiple types of eye cells organized in a way that mimics natural eye development. By studying these cells, researchers aim to identify how genetic variations affect the formation of eye structures and contribute to diseases. This approach allows for a more accurate representation of early eye development stages, which is crucial for testing potential treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for patients with developmental eye diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise using similar cell culture models to study developmental processes, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Semina, Elena V — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Semina, Elena V
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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.