Tracking transplanted retinal nerve cells using tiny nanoparticles
Nanoparticle-Based Tracking of Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplant
This project uses tiny gold nanoparticles to make transplanted retinal nerve cells visible on routine eye scans so people with glaucoma or other retinal degeneration can have their donor cells followed over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291858 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will label donor retinal ganglion (nerve) cells with gold nanorods that create a strong signal on optical coherence tomography (OCT) so the cells can be seen without surgery. They will optimize the nanoparticle labeling and OCT imaging first in lab dishes and animal models to maximize contrast and safety. The team will compare the imaging signal to actual cell survival and behavior using lab and in vivo tests. They will also test how cell dose and injection site affect transplant success and use advanced imaging to refine the procedure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glaucoma or other degenerative retinal or optic nerve conditions who might be candidates for future retinal ganglion cell transplant trials would be the most relevant participants in related clinical work.
Not a fit: Patients without retinal ganglion cell loss, those with eye conditions unrelated to retinal ganglion cells, or people not eligible for cell-transplant approaches would likely not benefit from this tracking research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, doctors could non-invasively track whether transplanted retinal cells survive and integrate, speeding development and safety monitoring of cell therapies for glaucoma and other retinal diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related nanoparticle-labeling and OCT imaging approaches have shown promise in preclinical models but remain experimental and have not yet been established in human retinal cell transplants.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Fang — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Fang
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.