Using urine-derived cells to regenerate eye cells for treating macular degeneration
Official title: Regeneration of human RPE cells from autologous urine-derived iPS cells
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11010334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to create eye cells from urine to help treat age-related macular degeneration, aiming to find a safer and more ethical option for people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EY035833-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11010334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing advanced age-related macular degeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of vision impairment unrelated to age-related macular degeneration may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a method to regenerate retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from urine-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The approach involves reprogramming cells from urine into iPSCs, which are then differentiated into functional RPE cells. This method aims to provide a less immunogenic and ethically controversial alternative to traditional stem cell therapies. By optimizing the generation of these cells, the research seeks to overcome current barriers in clinical applications for AMD treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that restore vision in patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using iPSCs for regenerative therapies, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yuanyuan No — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yuanyuan No
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.