Mapping the nerves that control blinking, tearing, and eye pain
Blink, Lacrimation, and Nociception: Precision Mapping and Integrated Atlas Generation of Corneal Trigeminal Afferents
Using advanced imaging, genetics, and AI, researchers will chart the nerve cells that control blinking, tear production, and corneal pain to improve understanding for people with ocular surface problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170447 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will combine detailed anatomical imaging and electrical recordings in mice with genetic and spatial RNA sequencing to map cornea-projecting trigeminal neurons. They will label multiple nerve types, record their activity, and link those patterns to behavior such as blinking and tear production. In parallel, AI-assisted analyses of human corneal structure-function data will be used to relate human nerve features to the mouse maps. The team will integrate these datasets into a searchable atlas that identifies nerve subtypes and their likely roles in corneal sensation and homeostasis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with corneal surface disorders, chronic ocular pain, neuropathic corneal pain, or those who have had corneal surgery — and possibly healthy volunteers for comparison — could be appropriate participants.
Not a fit: Patients whose eye problems are primarily retinal, optic nerve, or lens-related are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable more precise diagnoses and targeted treatments for dry eye, corneal pain, and blink-related disorders by revealing the specific nerve types and pathways involved.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has mapped corneal nerves and profiled trigeminal neurons, but this AI-enhanced, cross-species integrated atlas represents a newer and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saban, Daniel Raphael — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Saban, Daniel Raphael
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.