Molecular triggers of diabetic retinopathy progression in adults
Official title: Molecular Mechanisms of Severe Diabetic Retinopathy
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11330650 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how a specific cellular pathway linked to oxygen stress may drive eye damage in adults with diabetes, with the goal of stopping vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $471,921 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY030970-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330650 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who are at risk of developing severe diabetic retinopathy or macular edema.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetic retinopathy or those not likely to benefit from retinal vascular protective strategies may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will study how a retinal blood-vessel pathway called Nox4 contributes to cell aging and leakage in the diabetic eye. They will use human-relevant models to understand how these aging cells release signals that damage nearby cells, leading to vision-threatening changes. The work aims to identify targets for a long-lasting treatment that could complement or replace some current therapies. Results could inform new strategies to prevent severe retinopathy and its complications in patients who struggle to control blood sugar.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A potential long-term treatment strategy to prevent advanced diabetic retinopathy and preserve vision.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that targeting oxidative stress pathways can affect retinal blood vessels, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Sarah X — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Sarah X
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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.