Mapping microbes on the front surface of healthy adult eyes
Molecular characterization of the ocular microbiome in healthy adults
This project uses advanced DNA and RNA sequencing to map which microbes live and are active on the front part of healthy adults' eyes over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146379 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will gently swab the upper and lower parts of the eye (the conjunctival fornices) and collect small samples periodically over a year. They will use whole-metagenome and metatranscriptomic sequencing methods optimized for very low-biomass samples to identify which microbes are present and which are active. The team plans to enroll about 500 healthy adults and take serial samples to track changes, including seasonal shifts. They will also compare microbial findings with immune markers to understand how the eye's immune system and microbes interact.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Healthy adults aged 21 and older without active eye infection or major ocular disease are the ideal candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People with active ocular infections, recent eye surgery, major eye disease, or those under age 21 may not benefit or be eligible for this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could define what a healthy eye microbiome looks like and help clinicians better spot, prevent, or treat eye infections and inflammatory conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies using 16S marker-gene sequencing have described bacteria on the eye, but large-scale whole-genome and RNA sequencing of healthy eye surfaces is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajagopala, Seesandra Venkatappa — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rajagopala, Seesandra Venkatappa
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.