Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Candidate: Dr. James Harris, M.D., Ph.D., is completing fellowship training as a medical retina specialist in July 2026, with a career goal of becoming an independent clinician-scientist investigating the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), to improve current treatments and patient outcomes. Career Development Plan: This proposal provides foundational training in the knowledge and methods required to investigate the role of intercellular interactions in retinal degeneration and the career development needed for independent research. Dr. Harris proposes to study the role of microglial-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) interactions in geographic atrophy (GA). This tailored training plan will expand Dr. Harris’s expertise in retinal neurodegeneration, immunology, human ocular histology, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) disease modeling, and in vitro assessment of RPE function. This plan is comprised of formal didactics in neuroimmunology, stem cells, bioinformatics, neurodegeneration, and responsible conduct of research, as well as structured scientific and career mentorship, seminars, faculty development workshops, presentations at national meetings, and submission of publications. Mentorship Team and Environment: The mentorship team consists of renowned scientific experts in ocular immunology, AMD, bioinformatics, and iPSCs, and retinal clinician-scientist career mentors who are ideal to advise the candidate throughout his training. The Duke Eye Center and Duke University are well-equipped with the resources to support this work. The mentorship team and institution are fully committed to preparing Dr. Harris for independence as an R01-funded scientist. Research: GA is an advanced disease state of AMD, a leading cause of legal blindness, for which more effective therapies are needed. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the nervous system, are thought to play an active role in GA, but the exact mechanisms are poorly understood. Microglia migrate to the subretinal space, gather at sites of active degeneration, upregulate genes linked to AMD by genome-wide association studies, and are protective in mouse models of outer retinal degeneration. This proposal investigates the role of microglia-RPE interaction in the pathobiology of GA. Aim 1 proposes to determine the reciprocal effects of secreted factors as mediators of microglial-RPE interaction and identify pathways that may mediate these interactions. Aim 2 proposes to elucidate the effect of APOE alleles on TREM2-mediated microglia regulation. Aim 3 investigates the role of Cyclophilin A-Basigin signaling in RPE degeneration. Doing so will elucidate key pathobiological mechanisms of AMD to inspire new therapeutic targets. This K08 will provide mentored training to develop the skills required to achieve these research and career development goals, serve as the basis for future R01 funding, and provide the PI with expertise broadly applicable for patient-oriented research.
Grant Summary
Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy is a NEI - National Eye Institute grant providing up to $207K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2031-03-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $207K
2031-03-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy from NEI - National Eye Institute, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NEI - National Eye Institute before the deadline.
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Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy?
Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy is offered by NEI - National Eye Institute and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy provide?
Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy provides up to $207K per award from NEI - National Eye Institute. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy deadline?
Applications for Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy are due 2031-03-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NEI - National Eye Institute, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy?
To apply for Elucidating the role of subretinal microglia in geographic atrophy, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NEI - National Eye Institute.