Retinal Cell Loss in Diabetic Retinopathy
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11438059 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how mitochondrial problems and a specific kind of cell death called ferroptosis may cause retinal cells to die in people with diabetes-related eye disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $387,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY038398-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438059 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk of diabetic retinopathy who can provide retinal tissue samples or participate in related analyses.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or with advanced non-diabetic eye diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
If you have diabetes and are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, this study will explore how damaged mitochondria and ferroptosis contribute to retinal cell loss. Researchers will examine eye tissue and cellular processes to identify markers of ferroptosis in mitochondria and how they relate to retinopathy progression. The goal is to map the sequence from mitochondrial dysfunction to retinal damage, which could guide future therapies to protect vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to prevent or slow retinal damage in diabetes and preserve sight.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis to retinal damage, but the exact role in diabetic retinopathy needs clarification; this study builds on emerging evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kowluru, Renu a. — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Kowluru, Renu a.
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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.