Roadmap to unlock RPE plasticity for retinal regeneration
Official title: A Roadmap to Uncover RPE Plasticity
Funded at Miami University Oxford · NIH-11333729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project aims to understand how retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can be reprogrammed to become neural retina, with the goal of helping people with degenerative retinal diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Miami University Oxford NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oxford, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $361,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034980-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with retinal diseases where regeneration of retinal neurons could restore or preserve vision, in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced degeneration where reprogramming would not be feasible at this time may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will map how gene regulation changes as RPE cells stay capable of becoming neural retina, and why they lose that ability as development proceeds. It will examine how transcription factors and chromatin state interact during reprogramming in chickens, focusing on stages when the cells are more plastic. The study uses ATAC sequencing to profile accessible DNA regions and to identify barriers that stop RPE cells from reprogramming later in development. Findings could point to strategies that enable endogenous retinal repair and reduce the need for external cell replacement therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide new approaches to encourage the eye’s own cells to replace damaged retinal neurons.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that early-stage RPE can reprogram to neural retina under specific conditions, suggesting potential for similar strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Miami University Oxford
Oxford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Del Rio-Tsonis, Katia — Miami University Oxford
- Study coordinator: Del Rio-Tsonis, Katia
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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.