Investigating how GRP78 signaling affects blood vessel growth in the retina
Official title: GRP78 signaling and retinal angiogenesis
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11042806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific protein affects the growth of unhealthy blood vessels in the eye, which can lead to vision loss in people with diabetes, and aims to find new treatments that can stop this growth without harming normal blood vessel development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $511,066 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034425-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who are at risk of or currently experiencing diabetic retinopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with retinal conditions unrelated to diabetic retinopathy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of GRP78 signaling in retinal neovascularization, which is a major cause of vision loss, especially in diabetic patients. The study aims to identify therapeutics that can selectively target pathological blood vessel growth without affecting normal angiogenesis. By using animal models that mimic retinal diseases, the researchers will explore the relationship between GRP78 levels and retinal blood vessel growth, potentially leading to new treatment options for conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for preventing vision loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting VEGF pathways, but this approach focusing on GRP78 is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rao, Gadiparthi N — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Rao, Gadiparthi N
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.