Understanding and Treating Inherited Retinal Degeneration to Preserve Vision
Official title: The Role of Cell Senescence in Retinitis Pigmentosa
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11352439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A clinician-scientist at Stanford is pursuing gene-agnostic therapies to slow or prevent vision loss from inherited retinal diseases like Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $262,103 |
| NIH project number | 1K08EY038890-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients diagnosed with inherited retinal degenerations such as Retinitis Pigmentosa who are seeking future therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without IRD-related vision loss or those not eligible for future translational studies may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This grant supports a mentored clinician-scientist from ophthalmology to develop deeper knowledge of inherited retinal degeneration and to advance gene-agnostic treatment approaches. The work combines clinical insight with translational research to move beyond single-gene fixes toward broader therapies that could help many patients with retinal degeneration. Mentors across ophthalmology, genetics, and bioengineering will guide the project as the researcher builds skills and tests new ideas relevant to human disease. The goal is to create practical pathways that could lead to treatments for patients suffering from RP and related IRDs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with inherited retinal degenerations could receive new treatment strategies that protect or restore vision.
How similar studies have gone: Previous translational efforts in IRDs show promise for gene-agnostic approaches, but this area remains innovative and requires further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Al Moujahed, Ahmad — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Al Moujahed, Ahmad
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Inflammation in MERTK-related retinitis pigmentosa
This project aims to understand whether losing the MERTK gene causes retinal inflammation that leads to vision loss in people with MERTK-related retinitis pigmentosa.
-
Enhancing cone survival in RP through targeted cell-specific CRISPR therapy
A patient-friendly look at a new approach to protect cone cells in retinitis pigmentosa using precise gene editing to support vision.
-
Oral, once-daily MC16 medicine for retinitis pigmentosa
A gene-mutation-agnostic pill (MC16) is being studied to help people with retinitis pigmentosa by addressing a common cellular problem in the eye.
-
Role of IPM Proteoglycans in Retinal Health and Inherited Blindness
This grant studies how specific retinal extracellular matrix proteins (IMPG1 and IMPG2) affect eye health and contribute to retinitis pigmentosa, with potential implications for people who have or are at risk for inherited blindness.
-
NAC Attack: a late-stage trial for preserving vision in RP patients
A large, multi-site study is testing whether taking a daily NAC pill can help people with retinitis pigmentosa keep more of their vision.
-
Non-invasive biomarker for mitochondria health in retinitis pigmentosa
Aims to test a new, non-invasive OCT-based biomarker to explain and predict how mitochondria function affects cone cells in people with retinitis pigmentosa.
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.