Investigating the role of galectin-3 in healing corneal nerves
Official title: Galectin-3 and corneal nerve regeneration
Funded at Tufts Medical Center · NIH-10995351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called galectin-3 affects the healing of nerves in the eye, which is important for feeling and recovery, especially for people with conditions like dry eye or neurotrophic keratopathy, with the hope of finding better treatments to help those nerves heal.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $558,514 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035702-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995351 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals suffering from neurotrophic keratopathy or other conditions that impair corneal nerve function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact corneal nerve function or those not experiencing any corneal damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how galectin-3, a carbohydrate-binding protein, affects the regeneration of corneal nerves, which are crucial for eye sensitivity and healing. The study aims to identify the mechanisms that inhibit nerve regeneration in the cornea, particularly in conditions like neurotrophic keratopathy and dry eye. By exploring these mechanisms, the research seeks to develop new therapeutic strategies that could enhance corneal healing and restore nerve function. Patients may benefit from insights that lead to improved treatments for corneal nerve damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve corneal healing and restore nerve function in patients with nerve damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding nerve regeneration mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on galectin-3 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Argueso, Pablo — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Argueso, Pablo
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.