Understanding how non-coding genetic risk affects AMD in the eye
Official title: Functional Dissection of Non-Coding Genetic Risk in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11367610 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study explores how non-coding genetic differences near the 10q26 region contribute to age-related macular degeneration and tests new therapeutic ideas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $517,957 |
| NIH project number | 2R01EY033364-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367610 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with AMD risk variants, especially those carrying the 10q26 haplotype, and volunteers contributing hiPSC-derived retinal cells.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without the AMD risk haplotype or eye-related health concerns may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced eye cell models derived from patients to map how genetic risk in the 10q26 region changes gene regulation in retina and RPE cells. It combines long-read epigenomic profiling with hiPSC-derived retinal organoids and RPE to connect specific variants to functional outcomes. By testing gene augmentation and epigenomic editing, researchers aim to identify strategies that could prevent or slow AMD progression in people with this genetic risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new targets and therapies to protect vision for individuals with AMD risk variants.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work linking non-coding variants to disease through epigenomic profiling has shown promise, but this specific 10q26/AMD focus is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cherry, Timothy Joel — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cherry, Timothy Joel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Transplanting stem-cell–derived retinal cells to treat dry AMD
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RPESC-derived RPE Transplant for Dry AMD in adults
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New high-resolution OCT biomarkers to map early AMD changes
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Targeting inflammation in age-related macular degeneration
Aims to understand how inflammation drives age-related macular degeneration in people and explore new targets to slow or stop vision loss.
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.