Targeted gene therapy and nanomedicine for corneal healing
Official title: Targeted Gene Therapy and Nanomedicine Approaches to Treat Corneal Diseases
Funded at Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital · NIH-11591801 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview of a project aiming to use gene therapy and tiny nanoparticles to treat scarring in the cornea and restore vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2009 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX000357-16 |
| Project ID | NIH-11591801 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with corneal fibrosis or scarring who are at risk of vision loss could be candidates for future therapies derived from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without corneal scarring or those not eligible for future trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on corneal fibrosis, a scarring condition that can lead to vision loss. Researchers plan to test therapies that target the cells and pathways involved in scar formation, using gene-therapy approaches and nanomedicine to deliver treatment directly to the cornea. The goal is to develop safe, non-surgical options that help the cornea heal with less scarring, potentially reducing the need for corneal transplants. The work builds on prior discoveries about key genes and cells involved in wound repair and aims to translate these findings into human-friendly therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to non-surgical treatments that reduce corneal scarring and improve or preserve vision.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier findings about genes and pathways in corneal wound repair support the ongoing approach, but specific human therapies are still in development.
Where this research is happening
-
Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mohan, Rajiv Ravindra — Harry S. Truman Memorial VA Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mohan, Rajiv Ravindra
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.