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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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Eye is shown connected to visual processing regions of the brain via the optic nerve. Enlargement of retina shows photorecetors, biopolar cells and retinal ganglion cells.

Scientists discover gene therapy provides neuroprotection to prevent glaucoma vision loss

A form of gene therapy protects optic nerve cells and preserves vision in mouse models of glaucoma, according to research supported by NIH’s National Eye Institute. The findings suggest a way forward for developing neuroprotective therapies for glaucoma.
Photoreceptor precursor cells (red) are shown with extended axons toward bipolar cells.

Audacious projects develop imaging technology to aid eye tissue regeneration

As regenerative therapies for blinding diseases move closer to clinical trials, the NEI's functional imaging consortium is pioneering noninvasive technologies to monitor the function of the retina’s neurons and their connections to the brain.

Micro-molded ‘ice cube tray’ scaffold is next step in returning sight to injured retinas

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have developed a micro-molded scaffolding photoreceptor “patch” designed to be implanted under a damaged or diseased retina.
Rod and cone photoreceptors are shown in greyscale images.

NIH-led team sets new bar in retinal imaging

A team led by scientists at the National Eye Institute (NEI) has noninvasively visualized the light-sensing cells in the back of the eye, known as photoreceptors, in greater detail than ever before.

Yale team finds dozens of genes that block regeneration of neurons

In a massive screen of 400 mouse genes, Yale School of Medicine researchers have identified 40 genes actively involved in suppression of axon regeneration in central nervous system cells.
Samarendra Mohanty and Subrata Batabyal

Scientists use gene therapy and a novel light-sensing protein to restore vision in mice

A newly developed light-sensing protein called the MCO1 opsin restores vision in blind mice when attached to retina bipolar cells using gene therapy.

UCI-led study reveals significant restoration of retinal and visual function following gene therapy

New generation CRISPR technology lays foundation for therapeutics to treat a wide range of inherited ocular diseases
NEI Audacious Goals Initiative for regenerative medicine in vision identity mark

Eye institute’s audacious quest: What once was lost might now be regrown

The National Eye Institute (NEI) Audacious Goals Initiative (AGI) is exploring the possibility that the natural world holds the keys to restorative therapies that might unlock regenerative powers in humans.
Scientist viewed through a laboratory shelf filled with bottles

AGI-supported researchers discover gene pathways that regenerate neurons between the eye and the brain

A team of researchers has identified networks of genes that allow neurons to regenerate in animals like zebrafish.
Zebrafish

Could a tiny fish hold the key to curing blindness?

NEI-funded scientists are hacking the zebrafish’s innate regenerative capacity to learn how to treat human disease.

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