Nfe2l3 helps retinal cells heal and may restore simple vision after optic nerve injuries
Official title: Nfe2l3-regulated mechanisms of retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection and optic nerve axon regeneration
Funded at University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11605915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist at a major university studies how a protein called Nfe2l3 could help retinal nerve cells regrow their axons and potentially restore basic vision after optic nerve injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $41,848 |
| NIH project number | 3R01EY038322-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11605915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with optic nerve damage or degenerative optic neuropathies who may be eligible for future translational studies or clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with irreversible retinal damage or advanced optic neuropathies beyond the scope of nerve regeneration may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why nerve fibers in the eye stop growing after damage and how the protein Nfe2l3 might boost their natural repair abilities. Researchers will use animal models and advanced techniques to uncover the cellular pathways by which Nfe2l3 could enable retinal ganglion cells to regrow long-distance axons through the optic nerve. They will also identify which retinal cells respond to Nfe2l3 and contribute to regeneration, with the goal of translating findings into therapies that restore simple visual functions after injury. If successful, the work could lay the groundwork for new treatments for optic neuropathies due to trauma, ischemia, or glaucoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, patients with optic nerve injuries could regain some visual function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that modulating intrinsic neuronal growth programs can promote axon regeneration in animal models, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trakhtenberg, Feliks Ephraim — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Trakhtenberg, Feliks Ephraim
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.