Investigating new growth factors to help regenerate optic nerves
Official title: Novel growth factors and regenerative RGC subtypes for optic nerve regeneration
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10831524 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help nerve cells in the eye heal after an injury, which could lead to better vision for people who have damaged optic nerves.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $221,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EY033550-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10831524 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who have experienced optic nerve injuries or conditions leading to retinal ganglion cell damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with optic nerve injuries that are too advanced or those with conditions unrelated to retinal ganglion cell damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding new growth factors that can help retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) regenerate their axons after optic nerve injury, which is crucial for restoring vision. The team will systematically screen various untested ligands that interact with receptors on adult RGCs to identify potential therapies that could enhance regeneration and protect these cells from death. By using both cultured RGCs and in vivo models, the researchers aim to discover novel factors that could significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients with optic nerve damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that restore vision in patients with optic nerve injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using growth factors for optic nerve regeneration, but this approach aims to explore novel, untested factors, making it a potentially groundbreaking effort.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yin, Yuqin — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Yin, Yuqin
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.