Investigating how cell death pathways affect bacterial infections in diabetic patients' eyes

Role of Programmed Cell Death Pathways in Bacterial Keratitis

NIH-funded research Wayne State University · NIH-11035084

This study is looking into why people with diabetes are more likely to get serious eye infections from certain bacteria, using mice to see how these infections develop faster in diabetes, with the hope of finding better ways to prevent and treat these infections for diabetic patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWayne State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Detroit, United States)
Project IDNIH-11035084 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding why diabetic patients are more susceptible to severe bacterial infections in the cornea, particularly from bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Using mouse models of diabetes, the study examines how these infections progress more rapidly in diabetic conditions compared to non-diabetic ones. Researchers will employ advanced techniques like RNA sequencing to identify specific genes and biological processes that contribute to this increased susceptibility. The goal is to uncover the underlying mechanisms that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for bacterial keratitis in diabetic patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are diabetic patients, particularly those experiencing eye infections or at risk for bacterial keratitis.

Not a fit: Patients without diabetes or those not experiencing eye infections may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and preventive measures for bacterial infections in the eyes of diabetic patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the genetic and biological factors in infections can lead to significant advancements in treatment, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Detroit, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions adult onset diabetesAdult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.