New mouse model for age-related wet macular degeneration
A Novel Mouse Model for Spontaneous and Age-Related Choroidal Neovascularization
This project makes a mouse model that mimics age-related wet macular degeneration so scientists can develop and test longer-lasting treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144571 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating a chronic form of choroidal neovascularization (the leaky blood vessels that cause vision loss in wet AMD) in mice to better mirror the human disease. They combine genetic vulnerability, environmental stress, and aging in mice using a knockin that reduces five RNA targets and increases two proteins. The team will track spontaneous, age-related vessel growth over time rather than relying on short-term injury models. The resulting ArCNV model is intended as a platform for testing therapies aimed at durable protection of vision.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with age-related macular degeneration, especially the wet (neovascular) form, would be the eventual candidates for therapies developed using this model.
Not a fit: People without AMD or those with non-neovascular (dry) AMD are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific animal-based work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this model could speed development of treatments that prevent or slow vision loss from wet AMD for longer periods than current options.
How similar studies have performed: Many existing CNV models use short-term laser injury, so creating a spontaneous, age-related CNV model is relatively novel and has not yet been widely validated.
Where this research is happening
Farmington, United States
- University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt — Farmington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fong, Guo-Hua — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Fong, Guo-Hua
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.