Vitreous metabolism changes during eye infections from bacteria and fungi
Official title: Vitreous metabolic perturbations during bacterial and fungal endophthalmitis
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11418389 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at tiny chemical changes in the eye fluid to understand and diagnose endophthalmitis caused by bacteria or fungi.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $447,076 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035499-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418389 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with suspected endophthalmitis or related inflammatory eye conditions who can provide vitreous samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without endophthalmitis or those unable to provide samples may not benefit.
What this research studies
Endophthalmitis can cause irreversible vision loss, and current diagnosis often misses infections because cultures are sometimes negative. Researchers will use metabolomics to profile eye fluid and identify biomarkers that distinguish infected from non-infected eyes. The study builds on prior findings that metabolism reflects disease state and has pointed to potential therapeutic targets. By analyzing patient samples and animal models, the work aims to improve rapid diagnosis and guide targeted antimicrobial therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get faster, more accurate diagnosis and better-directed treatment to protect vision.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work demonstrated distinct metabolic profiles in endophthalmitis and identified therapeutic targets in models, supporting feasibility.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Ashok — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Ashok
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.