Understanding glaucoma risk and mitochondria in eye cells
Official title: Understanding glaucoma risk and assessment of precision therapies: A study of mitochondria and oxidative stress in human trabecular meshwork
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11374549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand why people develop glaucoma by looking at how mitochondria and oxidative damage in eye drainage cells might contribute to high eye pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $545,166 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034529-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing eye surgery or with glaucoma who contribute trabecular meshwork cells or aqueous humor samples.
✕Less likely to help
People without glaucoma risk factors or those not contributing samples may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on people with glaucoma risk by examining how oxygen use and mitochondrial health in trabecular meshwork cells relate to disease progression. Researchers will measure oxygen levels in the eye during surgery and analyze markers of DNA damage in the aqueous humor. They will compare healthy donor cells to those from glaucomatous eyes to see how energy production and reactive oxygen species differ. The goal is to connect genetic and physiological differences to glaucoma risk and severity in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to personalized strategies to prevent or slow glaucoma by targeting mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked oxidative damage to glaucoma, but this study aims to connect it to specific mitochondrial energy pathways and genetic differences.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Siegfried, Carla J — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Siegfried, Carla J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding Glaucoma Risk and Tailored Treatments
This work explores why some people develop glaucoma earlier or more severely, focusing on how cell damage in the eye contributes to this common cause of blindness.
-
Investigating the role of mitochondria and oxidative stress in glaucoma risk and treatment.
This study is looking at how damage from oxygen affects a part of the eye that helps control pressure and can lead to glaucoma, with the goal of figuring out why some people are more likely to get this condition, so we can create better treatments just for them.
-
IOP and CSF Pressure in Glaucoma Risk
This grant studies how eye pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure together influence glaucoma risk and vision loss.
-
Comparing tube positions in glaucoma implants to protect corneal cells
This trial compares two tube placements for glaucoma drainage implants to see which better protects corneal cells and controls eye pressure in people with uncontrolled glaucoma.
-
Automated topographic test for glaucoma detection and progression
A new automated method uses topographic structure-function mapping to help diagnose glaucoma earlier and track its progression in patients.
-
How vitamin B12 helps the gum-disease bacterium survive
Learning how vitamin B12 helps the bacteria that cause gum disease survive and become more harmful for people with periodontitis.
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.