Learning how some retinal nerve cells naturally survive to protect vision
Identifying and leveraging strategies of inherently resilient retinal neurons to treat degeneration
Researchers will watch single retinal nerve cells over time to learn why some survive disease and use those natural survival tricks to help protect people's sight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319798 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use advanced two-photon microscopy to watch individual retinal ganglion cells in living animal models over weeks to months, using tiny genetically encoded sensors that report cellular energy and calcium levels. They will compare the internal signals of cells that persist versus those that degenerate to identify natural coping strategies. The team aims to translate those cellular survival features into targets or approaches that could be used to protect human retinal cells in diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Findings will guide future therapy development rather than testing a treatment in people right away.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic neuritis, optic nerve glioma, or other conditions that cause retinal ganglion cell loss would be most relevant to benefit from findings.
Not a fit: Patients whose vision loss is caused by diseases outside the retinal ganglion cells (for example corneal disease or damage in the brain) or those with longstanding, irreversible damage may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal ways to keep retinal ganglion cells alive and slow or prevent vision loss in glaucoma and other optic nerve diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have identified some protective pathways, but using long-term single-cell imaging with biosensors to directly pinpoint resilient cells is a newer approach with limited prior translation to human treatments.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Philip Raymond — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Williams, Philip Raymond
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 below.