Understanding how mechanical memory affects glaucoma cells.
Role of cellular memory in glaucoma.
This study is looking at how certain eye cells, which are important for glaucoma, remember and respond to pressure changes, and it aims to find out how a specific protein helps these cells behave differently when they are healthy compared to when they have glaucoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10914789 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how trabecular meshwork (TM) cells in the eye develop and retain a mechanical memory that contributes to glaucoma. By exposing healthy TM cells to mechanical stress and observing their recovery, the researchers aim to understand the differences in behavior between healthy and glaucomatous cells. The study will explore the role of a specific protein, Yes-associated protein (YAP), in how these cells sense and store mechanical changes, as well as the epigenetic modifications that help maintain this memory over time. The research utilizes innovative bioengineered models to simulate the mechanical environment of the eye.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma or those at risk of developing this condition.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of glaucoma or those without any form of glaucoma may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse the cellular dysfunction associated with glaucoma.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of investigating mechanical memory in TM cells is relatively novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding cellular responses to mechanical stress in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
Syracuse, United States
- Upstate Medical University — Syracuse, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herberg, Samuel — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Herberg, Samuel
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 below.