Investigating how energy levels affect signaling in retinal ganglion cells
Official title: Retinal Ganglion Cell Signaling Regulated By Intrinsic Reactive Oxygen Species
Funded at Doheny Eye Institute · NIH-11075372 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the energy levels in our body affect the way important eye cells, called retinal ganglion cells, respond to light, which could help us understand why some people lose their vision and find new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Doheny Eye Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $392,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033905-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075372 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing vision loss or conditions affecting retinal ganglion cells.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact retinal function and no signs of ganglion cell damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the metabolic environment influences the signaling and sensitivity of retinal ganglion cells, which are crucial for vision. By examining how these cells respond to light under different energy conditions, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that may lead to cell loss in conditions like blindness. The approach involves controlled experiments to assess how intrinsic metabolic activity alters the cells' responses, providing insights into their function during metabolic stress. This could help in understanding the underlying causes of visual impairment and developing potential therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for conditions that cause blindness by improving our understanding of retinal cell function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding neuronal signaling under metabolic stress, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Doheny Eye Institute
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barnes, Steven Andrew — Doheny Eye Institute
- Study coordinator: Barnes, Steven Andrew
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.