Understanding how diabetes affects nerve cells in the retina
Official title: Role of Intrinsic Neuroprotective Signaling in Diabetic Retina
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11058667 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called p58IPK might help protect the eyes of people with diabetes from damage that can lead to vision loss, and it's using special mice to learn more about how this protein works so that new treatments can be developed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $440,806 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY036132-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058667 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes who are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those who do not have any retinal complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to blindness in people with diabetes. The focus is on a specific protein, p58IPK, which may help protect retinal neurons from damage caused by diabetes. By studying how this protein functions in the retina, researchers aim to develop new treatments that can prevent or reduce vision loss. The approach includes using genetically modified mouse models to observe the effects of p58IPK deficiency on retinal health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that protect vision in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding neuroprotective mechanisms in other conditions, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Sarah X — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Sarah X
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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.