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NEI Research News

Thanks to the work of NEI scientists and grantees, we’re constantly learning new information about the causes and treatment of vision disorders. Get the latest updates about their work — along with other news about NEI.

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21 items
Photoreceptor precursors

Progress toward a stem cell–based therapy for blindness

A multi-institutional effort led by researchers at the UPenn School of Veterinary Medicine is taking steps to develop an effective technique to regenerate photoreceptors cells and restore sight in people with vision disorders.
NEI scientists Mitra Farnoodian Tedrick and Kapil Bharti with KTEF Commanders

Knights Templar Eye Foundation funds NEI scientist’s search for therapies to treat blinding eye disease

NEI researcher Mitra Farnoodian Tedrick, Ph.D., received a $65,000 grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation (KTEF) to identify drugs to treat a rare blinding condition called Stargardt disease.

Retinal cell map could advance precise therapies for blinding diseases

Researchers have identified distinct differences among the cells comprising a tissue in the retina that is vital to human visual perception. The scientists from the National Eye Institute (NEI) discovered five subpopulations of retinal pigment epithelium.

NIH researchers identify potential AMD drugs with stem-cell based research tool

Using a stem-cell-derived model, researchers have identified two drug candidates that may slow dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness for which no treatment exists.

NIH study traces molecular link from gene to late-onset retinal degeneration

Scientists have discovered that gene therapy and the diabetes drug metformin may be potential treatments for late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD), a rare, blinding eye disease.
Schematic showing how to produce iPS cells

NIH launches first U.S. clinical trial of patient-derived stem cell therapy to replace and repair dying cells in retina

Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) are launching a clinical trial to test the safety of a novel patient-specific stem cell-based therapy to treat geographic atrophy, the advanced “dry” form of age-related macular degeneration.
Image of scanning electron micrograph

NIH, NIST researchers use artificial intelligence for quality control of stem cell-derived tissues

Researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate stem cell-derived “patches” of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tissue for implanting into the eyes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness.
A scanning electron micrograph image shows a polarized RPE monolayer on a biodegradable scaffold. The image is colored to highlight the scaffold in blue, three RPE cells (brown), and the apical processes of cells in RPE monolayer are light green.

NIH researchers rescue photoreceptors, prevent blindness in animal models of retinal degeneration

Using a novel patient-specific stem cell-based therapy, researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) prevented blindness in animal models of geographic atrophy, the advanced “dry” form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)...

NIH discovery brings stem cell therapy for eye disease closer to the clinic

Scientists at the National Eye Institute (NEI) report that tiny tube-like protrusions called primary cilia on cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are essential for the survival of the retina’s light-sensing photoreceptors.
James W. Gollady, Jr., Right Eminent Department Commander (right), presents Hotaling with a check from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. “I think this award is extremely important to pave a pathway for me in medical research,” said Hotaling.  (Joe Balintfy, NEI)

NEI Scientist Receives Research Grant from Knights Templar Eye Foundation

NEI research fellow Nathan Hotaling, PhD, has been awarded a $65,000 grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation to develop a stem cell-based system to study Best disease, a genetic disorder that can cause progressive vision loss.