Investigating how certain signals affect the movement and growth of retinal cells
Official title: Receptor tyrosine kinase signaling in astrocyte migration and angiogenesis
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10927427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain signals in the body affect the growth and movement of special cells in the eye that help keep our vision healthy, and it could help us find new ways to treat eye diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $411,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034451-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or suffering from retinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity, coloboma, or glaucoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with retinal conditions unrelated to astrocyte function or those not experiencing any retinal diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific signaling pathways, particularly PDGF and FGF, influence the behavior and development of retinal astrocytes, which are crucial for maintaining healthy vision. By using advanced techniques like generating mouse mutants and live imaging, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that regulate astrocyte migration and maturation. The findings could provide insights into how disruptions in these processes contribute to various eye diseases, potentially leading to new treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for blinding diseases by enhancing our understanding of retinal cell behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of signaling pathways in cell behavior, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tao, Chenqi — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Tao, Chenqi
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.