Goal: Develop a physiologically competent 3-D retina organoid model
The National Eye Institute (NEI) has its sights set on stimulating researchers to move rapidly toward treatments for retinal diseases. The NEI 3-D Retina Organoid Challenge (3D ROC) is a prize competition to develop a physiologically-competent 3-D retina organoid model. A retina organoid is similar to a human retina but it’s grown in a lab from stem cells. Scientists can use retina organoids to study eye diseases and treatments.
Ideation challenge
The first part of 3-D ROC was an ideation challenge. The winning and honorable mention teams were selected in fall 2017.
Implementation challenge
The second part of 3-D ROC, called Reduction to Practice, launched in 2018. This challenge offers multiple prize opportunities for participants who submit data showing their ability to create functional human retina organoids. Phase 2 solutions must be submitted by October 1, 2020.
Phase 2 submission period: September 14, 2020 – October 1, 2020
Phase 2 judging period: October 2, 2020 – November 20, 2020
Phase 2 winners announced: December 2020
Submissions for this challenge are being accepted via email at NEI3dROC@mail.nih.gov.
The benefits for scientists who participate in this challenge include:
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A chance to win up to $1M in prizes (only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to win prize money)
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Exposure to industry partners, vision advocacy groups, small businesses, cell banks, and other stakeholders
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The opportunity to team up with scientists from diverse fields such as developmental biology, stem cell biology, bioengineering, and materials science
Want to learn more? Read the challenge FAQs. 3-D ROC 2020 Guide for Applicants
Spurring research, collaboration, and new treatments
With this challenge, we aim to:
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Deliver a robust 3-D retina organoid system that the broader research community can leverage for their work.
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Galvanize cross-discipline collaborations to encourage transformational advances that will result in meaningful therapies.
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Eliminate limitations in current organoid protocols and accelerate development of 3-D retina organoids that faithfully model human tissue.
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Model retinal diseases and test treatments in a system directly relevant to humans.
Thank you to our sponsors! See the list of sponsors.
Get news and stay connected with 3-D ROC
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For more information or to become a sponsor, email NEI3dROC@mail.nih.gov.
News
- NEI awards prize for progress toward developing lab-made retinas (Dec. 4, 2018)
See more 3-D retina organoid challenge news.