Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, resulting from progressive damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Current diagnostic methods detect disease only after significant structural and functional loss, and existing metrics for disease progression require extended monitoring periods, limiting the feasibility of clinical trials for neuroprotective therapies. There is an urgent need for robust, mechanistically relevant biomarkers to enable earlier detection of glaucoma progression and facilitate the development of novel therapeutics. This project aims to refine and validate advanced imaging biomarkers using Adaptive Optics-Optical Coherence Tomography (AO-OCT), a high-resolution imaging modality that permits direct visualization of RGC soma and vascular mural cells, including pericytes, in both animal models and human subjects. Preliminary data indicate that AO-OCT can detect early morphological changes in RGC soma and pericytes associated with glaucoma progression. However, further validation and improvement of these biomarkers are necessary before larger-scale clinical trials can be conducted. The proposed study consists of two specific aims. In Aim 1, we will utilize transgenic mouse models to confirm the specificity of AO-OCT biomarkers for RGCs and pericytes and to longitudinally assess cellular changes in two established glaucoma models. This work will provide critical validation of AO-OCT imaging against gold- standard histological techniques. In Aim 2, we will conduct a two-year longitudinal study of 50 human subjects with mild glaucoma to assess the relationship between AO-OCT biomarkers and conventional clinical measures of disease progression. Additionally, we will develop AI-based vessel segmentation techniques to enhance the precision of pericyte identification and characterization. This research will yield highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for glaucoma progression, enabling more efficient and cost-effective clinical trials for neuroprotective therapies. Ultimately, these advancements will improve early diagnosis, facilitate the development of novel treatments, and reduce the global burden of blindness due to glaucoma.
Grant Summary
Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers is a NEI - National Eye Institute grant providing up to $571K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2030-03-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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How to Apply
Up to $571K
2030-03-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers 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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Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers?
Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers 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 Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers provide?
Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers provides up to $571K 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 Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers deadline?
Applications for Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers are due 2030-03-31 (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 Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers?
To apply for Development, Refinement, and Validation of Sensitive and Robust AO-OCT Glaucoma Biomarkers, 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.