New iris-to-lens reprogramming to study eye tissue regeneration
Official title: New iris to lens reprogramming as a model to study eye tissue regeneration in vertebrates
Funded at University of New Hampshire · NIH-11626549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project at the University of New Hampshire is exploring how eye tissues can regenerate by reprogramming iris cells to lens-like tissue to understand and potentially treat degenerative eye diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Hampshire NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $189,455 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM113131-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11626549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with degenerative eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or related vision loss may benefit from future translational advances.
✕Less likely to help
Current patients should not expect immediate therapies; this is an early-stage, foundational study.
What this research studies
This project aims to uncover mechanisms of eye tissue regeneration using a 3C-based approach to study how cells switch in non-regenerative species. Over three years, the team will begin translating these regeneration mechanisms toward restorative eye treatments, with collaborations in transcription factor analysis and biomaterials for the extracellular matrix. The work will leverage data science, sequencing, and microscope resources to map changes at the molecular and cellular levels. If successful, this could lay groundwork for therapies that restore vision in people with degenerative eye diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to restore vision for patients with certain eye diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Related work in regenerative biology has shown potential when translating mechanisms across species, but this project is in early translational development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of New Hampshire
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sousounis, Konstantinos — University of New Hampshire
- Study coordinator: Sousounis, Konstantinos
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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.