Using ultrasound to isolate cells from retinal tissue without damage
Official title: Damage-Free, Ultrasonic Cell Isolation from Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Monolayers
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11030305 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a gentle way to collect special eye cells using sound waves, which could help improve treatments for people with age-related macular degeneration by making sure the cells used for transplants are of the highest quality.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $529,542 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035281-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030305 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over the age of 50 who are experiencing age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of retinal degeneration unrelated to age may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a method to isolate retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells using focused ultrasound, which minimizes damage to surrounding tissues. The approach aims to improve the quality of stem cell-derived RPE for transplantation in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By utilizing ultrasound, researchers can eject cells from a monolayer without physical contact, reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional methods. The study also emphasizes the importance of quality control in cell production for clinical applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using ultrasound for cell isolation, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Eun Sok — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Kim, Eun Sok
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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.