Understanding how heme affects blood vessel growth in the retina
Official title: The role of heme in retinal vascular development and disease
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11071990 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a molecule called heme helps keep the tiny blood vessels in your eyes healthy, which is important for good vision, and it hopes to find new ways to fix problems with these vessels that can lead to vision loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $512,042 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034615-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11071990 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing age-related macular degeneration or other retinal vascular disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with retinal conditions unrelated to vascular development or those not experiencing vision loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of heme, a vital molecule for oxygen transport, in the development and health of retinal blood vessels. By exploring the signaling pathways that control angiogenesis, the study aims to uncover how heme influences the growth and integrity of these vessels, which are crucial for vision. The researchers will examine how heme interacts with other signaling molecules to potentially reverse vascular defects in models of retinal diseases. This work could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating vision loss associated with retinal vascular diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve vision and prevent blindness caused by retinal vascular diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding angiogenesis and its implications for retinal diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arnold, Thomas Darmody — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Arnold, Thomas Darmody
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.