Protecting premature infants from oxygen-related harm
Official title: Multi-organ protection from hyperoxia of the severely premature infant
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11130045 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to find a safe way to protect the eyes and other organs of severely premature infants from damage caused by necessary oxygen therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2015 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $402,500 |
| NIH project number | 2R01EY024972-09A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130045 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding and preventing conditions in severely premature infants who need oxygen support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not premature infants or do not require oxygen therapy would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Premature infants often need oxygen to survive, but this oxygen can harm their developing eyes, leading to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) which can cause blindness. This project is exploring a new approach that focuses on a specific protein pathway in the liver. By activating this pathway, we hope to protect the delicate blood vessels in the eyes and lungs, as well as the brain, from oxygen damage. The goal is to allow these vulnerable infants to receive life-saving oxygen without the risk of long-term complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could prevent blindness and other organ damage in premature infants who require oxygen therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using animal models have shown that this protective strategy can prevent oxygen-induced lung disease, brain issues, and retinopathy.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sears, Jonathan E — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Sears, Jonathan E
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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.