Sulfated molecules in the back of the eye and how they shape myopia progression
Official title: Investigating the Role of Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans in Scleral Biomechanics and Myopia Progression
Funded at University of Mississippi · NIH-11569095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how losing certain building blocks in the eye’s outer layer may affect eye shape and the worsening of nearsightedness in pig eyes to model human disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $182,756 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM130460-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11569095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are researchers and clinicians studying myopia and scleral biomechanics who can translate findings toward human relevance.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without interest in scleral biology or myopia biomechanics may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Myopia is a growing vision problem linked to the eye becoming longer, especially at the back of the eye. This project will examine how breaking down sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the sclera changes the way the tissue supports collagen fibers and how the eye deforms under pressure. Using porcine eyes, researchers will develop methods to enzymatically degrade these molecules and measure multiscale mechanical changes from the microscopic collagen arrangement to global scleral deformation. The goal is to understand if loss of sGAGs makes the sclera more prone to deformation that drives axial elongation, which could inform future interventions. The work blends biomechanics, imaging, and tissue analysis to connect molecular changes to tissue-level behavior relevant to myopia progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could identify new molecular targets to slow or prevent myopia progression by preserving scleral biomechanics.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that altering scleral components can affect tissue structure; this project investigates the specific role of sGAGs in a controlled model, which is a novel, mechanistic step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Mississippi
University, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hua, Yi — University of Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Hua, Yi
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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.