Understanding the bacteria on the surface of the eye and how they change over time
Official title: Defining bacterial members of the ocular surface microbiome and assessing stability over time
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10874789 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the bacteria on the surface of your eye to see how they might affect your eye health, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about how these tiny organisms can influence eye conditions over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,096,264 |
| NIH project number | 5U24EY035102-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10874789 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthy individuals who are willing to participate in longitudinal sampling of their ocular surface microbiome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with existing eye diseases or conditions that significantly alter the ocular surface may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the bacteria that live on the surface of the eye and how these bacterial communities may affect eye health. By using advanced techniques like DNA and RNA sequencing, the study aims to identify the core components of the ocular microbiome in healthy individuals over time. The research will take place in two locations, Pittsburgh and Miami, and will involve collecting samples at different intervals to assess stability and changes in the microbiome. The findings could provide insights into how these bacteria influence eye diseases and overall ocular health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of eye diseases linked to the ocular microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results in understanding microbiomes in different body sites, but this specific focus on the ocular microbiome is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: St Leger, Anthony J — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: St Leger, Anthony J
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.