Understanding how to help retinal cells regenerate in zebrafish models of eye damage
Official title: Elucidating and bypassing molecular mechanisms that suppress Muller glia-dependent regeneration of cones in two zebrafish models of chronic retinal damage
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11041011 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how zebrafish can heal their eyes after injury and what makes it harder for them to recover from long-term damage, with the hope of finding ways to help people with similar eye conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $555,742 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034493-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041011 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from retinal degenerative diseases, particularly those experiencing chronic damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute retinal injuries or those whose conditions do not involve Müller glia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the ability of zebrafish to regenerate lost retinal neurons, specifically focusing on Müller glia cells, which are crucial for this process. The study aims to uncover why zebrafish can regenerate after acute damage but not after chronic damage, which is more similar to conditions seen in humans. By examining different zebrafish models of retinal degeneration, the researchers will explore how to stimulate Müller glia proliferation and promote cone regeneration. This involves analyzing the role of inflammation and immune cells in the regeneration process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for restoring vision in patients with retinal degenerative diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the regeneration of retinal cells in zebrafish has been studied, this specific approach to understanding chronic damage and its effects on regeneration is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hyde, David R — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Hyde, David 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.