Understanding how fucosylation affects the survival of eye stem cells
Official title: Investigating Fucosylation as a Mediator of Limbal Stem Cell Viability
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11164972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special sugar called fucose affects the health of limbal stem cells, which are important for keeping our vision clear, especially for people with Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) that can cause blindness, and it hopes to find new ways to help these patients by understanding how inflammation impacts these cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $48,012 |
| NIH project number | 1F31EY037580-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency or those at risk of developing this condition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of vision impairment not related to limbal stem cell dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of fucosylation, a specific sugar modification, in the viability of limbal stem cells (LSCs), which are essential for maintaining vision. The study focuses on Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD), a condition that can lead to blindness due to the dysfunction or death of these cells, often exacerbated by inflammation. By exploring how fucose levels influence LSC survival during inflammatory conditions, the research aims to identify new therapeutic strategies to improve treatment outcomes for patients with LSCD. The approach includes examining the relationship between fucosylation and the activation of cell death pathways in LSCs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel therapies that enhance the survival of limbal stem cells, potentially improving vision preservation for patients with LSCD.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on fucosylation in LSCs is novel, related research has shown promise in understanding the role of cell surface modifications in stem cell biology.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Judge, Jennifer R — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Judge, Jennifer R
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.