Understanding how aging affects the retina
Official title: Identifying Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Retinal Aging
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11059039 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how aging affects the cells in our eyes and how that might lead to vision problems, with the hope of finding new ways to help keep our eyesight healthy as we get older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | September 10, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32EY034759-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059039 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are at risk of or experiencing age-related retinal degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those with retinal conditions unrelated to aging may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate aging in the retina, particularly focusing on how cellular aging contributes to degenerative eye diseases. By utilizing advanced techniques that allow for single-cell analysis, the study aims to uncover specific changes in gene regulation that occur as the retina ages. The research will also explore how acute injuries to the retina may accelerate aging processes, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets to slow or prevent age-related vision loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that slow down or prevent age-related blindness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cellular aging mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on retinal aging is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palazzo, Isabella — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Palazzo, Isabella
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Aging Well with HIV: Alcohol, Risk Reduction, and Education Center (AWAR3E)
A center at Yale is exploring how aging with HIV interacts with alcohol use to create inflammation and frailty, with the goal of finding biomarkers and potential treatments.
-
Cognitive SuperAging: Exploring why some octogenarians stay sharp in memory
This NIH grant studies why a small group of people aged 80+ keep memory skills as good as much younger people, hoping to understand how to protect memory as we age.
-
Biological aging across the lifespan through a national high school-to-adult study
This grant uses a long-running national study of students and adults to collect saliva biomarkers of aging, alongside surveys, to understand how aging markers relate to health and life experiences.
-
Understanding how aging and Alzheimer’s affect how people make tough choices
This NIH grant studies how aging and Alzheimer’s risk change how people decide between immediate and delayed rewards and risky options, with the goal of helping older adults stay financially and healthwise safer.
-
Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
-
National Neighborhood Data Archive helps researchers study aging health in U.S. neighborhoods
A nationwide data resource will help researchers understand how where people live affects health and aging, with a focus on respiratory illnesses in older adults.
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.