Reprogramming eye support cells to repair the retina
Epigenetic Regulation of Retinal Regeneration
This work explores turning on repair genes in eye support cells to help damaged retinas regrow cells and potentially restore vision for people with retinal injury or degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248336 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are looking at how some animals like zebrafish can fully regrow their retinas and what switches control that ability. They use zebrafish and mouse experiments to find the genes and chromatin (epigenetic) changes that let Müller glia, the eye's support cells, become stem-like and make new retinal neurons. The team tests turning on a gene called Ascl1 and blocking HDAC enzymes to open up pro-regenerative genes and monitors whether support cells re-enter the cell cycle and produce new neurons. This is laboratory work aimed at identifying targets for future treatments rather than treating people right now.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal future candidates would be adults with retinal cell loss from conditions like macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, or retinal injury who could benefit from regenerative treatments.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss comes from non-retinal causes such as optic nerve damage, brain visual pathway injuries, or congenital structural defects are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to therapies that reactivate the eye's own repair cells to replace lost retinal neurons and improve vision in retinal degenerative conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Zebrafish naturally regenerate retinas, and prior mouse experiments using Ascl1 plus HDAC inhibition produced partial regeneration in animals, but human-directed therapies remain unproven.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gross, Jeffrey — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Gross, Jeffrey
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.