Understanding how specific proteins interact to regulate eye development.
Official title: Composition and function of Optix-Cofactor transcription complexes in the eye.
Funded at Upstate Medical University · NIH-11058261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a protein called Optix and its helpers work together to help develop the eye, using fruit flies to learn more about how these proteins might affect eye and brain growth, which could help us understand eye problems in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Upstate Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $448,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EY035492-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with genetic predispositions to eye and brain malformations, particularly those with mutations in the SIX3 or SIX6 genes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without genetic eye or brain malformations or those unrelated to the SIX family of genes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the Optix protein and its associated cofactors in the development of the eye, using Drosophila as a model organism. By examining how these proteins interact, the research aims to uncover their specific functions in eye and brain development. The approach includes characterizing the complexes formed by Optix and its cofactors and creating variants of the Optix protein to study the effects of disrupted interactions. This could provide insights into the genetic factors that contribute to eye malformations in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of genetic causes of eye and brain malformations, potentially informing future treatments or interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown success in understanding the roles of transcription factors in developmental biology, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful discoveries.
Where this research is happening
-
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pignoni, Francesca — Upstate Medical University
- Study coordinator: Pignoni, Francesca
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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.