Understanding how eye cells work together to fight herpes infections
Official title: Mathematical Modeling and Experimental Analysis of Spatial Division of Labor in Ocular Antiviral Defense
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11450522 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how corneal cells coordinate to stop herpes simplex virus from causing keratitis that can lead to blindness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $556,409 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY037740-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450522 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for or affected by HSV-1 eye infections and who could contribute corneal tissue samples or participate in related analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HSV-1 ocular involvement or those not contributing samples or data would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
In people with HSV-1 eye infections, corneal cells act together to limit early viral spread before immune cells arrive. The project explores how cell states—infected cells, neighboring cells, and distant cells—interact through signaling molecules like cGAMP and cytokines to create a localized antiviral environment. Researchers will use high-throughput proteomics and antiviral tests to understand how these signals shape when and where interferons are produced. The goal is to unravel how spatial organization in the cornea contributes to effective defense and containment of the virus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to strengthen the eye’s natural defenses against herpes, potentially reducing corneal damage and blindness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research supports the idea that cell-to-cell signaling shapes antiviral responses, but this study tests a detailed spatial model in the cornea.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oyler-Yaniv, Jennifer E — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Oyler-Yaniv, Jennifer E
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.