Sugars that help corneal nerves heal and keep the eye surface healthy
Glycosylation in ocular surface health and disease
This project looks at whether sugar molecules on nerve and eye-surface cells help corneas regrow nerves and restore feeling for people with corneal injury or dry eye.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127661 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, the team is studying the sugar coatings (glycans) on the nerve cells that send feeling from the eye to the brain and how those sugars change after corneal injury. They will map the types of glycans in the trigeminal ganglion and on corneal tissues, compare healthy and injured states, and test how changing those sugars affects nerve regrowth and sensation. The work uses lab techniques on tissue samples and animal models and may include analysis of human tissues. Results are intended to point toward new treatments to speed nerve repair and reduce eye pain and dryness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with corneal nerve damage from trauma, infection, surgery, or chronic dry eye symptoms.
Not a fit: People whose vision problems are due to retinal or optic nerve diseases rather than corneal nerve damage are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to treatments that speed corneal nerve repair, reduce eye pain and dryness, and help protect vision.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows glycans influence nerve development and signaling, but applying glycan-targeted approaches to corneal nerve repair is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Argueso, Pablo — Tufts Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Argueso, Pablo
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.