Investigating the link between genetic risk factors for age-related macular degeneration and lipid metabolism in retinal cells.
Official title: Correlating Genomic AMD Risk Variants with Lipid Composition and Phagocytic Function of Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10912469 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affect the health of eye cells from patients, and by participating, you can help researchers learn more about this condition and how to improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $393,500 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EY034594-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912469 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are individuals with a genetic predisposition to age-related macular degeneration or those diagnosed with early stages of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration who have already lost significant vision may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific genetic variants associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affect the lipid composition and phagocytic function of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells derived from patient-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). By analyzing these cells, researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that lead to RPE dysfunction, which is a critical early event in AMD. The study employs advanced techniques to correlate genomic data with cellular behavior, potentially leading to new insights into AMD pathology. Patients may have the opportunity to contribute their genetic material to help create a better model for studying this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potential new treatments for age-related macular degeneration, ultimately helping to preserve vision in affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of lipid metabolism in retinal health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Skowronska-Krawczyk, Dorota — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Skowronska-Krawczyk, Dorota
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.