Understanding the types and functions of specific retinal cells in mice
Official title: Multimodal classification and sub-cellular compartmentalization of displaced amacrine cells in the mouse retina
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11034944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special cells in the mouse eye that help with vision, to understand how they work and communicate, and the results will be shared online to help others studying eye health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $540,971 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY036978-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11034944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with retinal diseases or conditions affecting visual processing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to retinal function or those who do not have access to the research location may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the classification and functional roles of displaced amacrine cells in the mouse retina, which are crucial for visual processing. The team will utilize advanced techniques such as two-photon calcium imaging to explore how these cells communicate and contribute to retinal circuits. By analyzing over 100 amacrine cells, they aim to categorize them into distinct types based on their morphology and electrical properties. The findings will be shared through a dedicated website to support future research in retinal neuroscience.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of retinal function and potentially lead to new treatments for vision-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully classified other types of retinal cells, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements in understanding retinal cell function.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, Gregory William — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, Gregory William
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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.