Microbes that live on the surface of the eye
Multi-method investigation and characterization of the ocular microbiome
This project uses multiple lab methods to find, grow, and learn how tiny microbes on the eye may affect eye health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145906 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will collect small, gentle samples from the surface of your eye and nearby areas. They will use sensitive sequencing, culture techniques, and other lab tests to identify and grow any bacteria, archaea, or fungi present. Because the eye has very few microbes, the team will carefully separate real microbial signals from contamination and then study what those microbes do in the lab. The aim is to understand which microbes live on healthy and diseased eyes and how they might influence conditions like dry eye or infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults willing to provide eye surface samples, including healthy volunteers and people with ocular surface conditions such as dry eye or chronic conjunctivitis.
Not a fit: People not willing to undergo eye sampling or those expecting an immediate treatment benefit are unlikely to gain direct medical benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better knowledge of eye microbes could lead to improved diagnosis, prevention, or new treatments for eye inflammation and infections in the future.
How similar studies have performed: Previous sequencing studies suggested microbes exist on the eye but mainly provided DNA data, while growing and functionally testing eye microbes is newer and still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: De Paiva, Cintia S. — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: De Paiva, Cintia S.
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.