2022 Save Sight Now Research Grant Recipients

 

We’re funding two new USH1B tracks of work this year

We are incredibly pleased to announce that we – with the support of the Foundation Fighting Blindness – will be funding two new important USH1B research programs in 2022: 

  1. The Characterization of a Naturally Occurring USH1B Pig Model
    Individual Investigator Award, Wolfrum Lab, Institute of Molecular Physiology, JGU

  2.  USH1B Disease Pathologies, Treatments and Natural History Study
     Multiple Investigator Program Award, Institut de la Vision

The addition of these two new programs means that we are currently funding a total of four USH1B research projects, spanning the creation of large animal models for testing therapies, new treatment development, and supporting natural history studies for future clinical trials. This is all made possible because of the generous donations from Save Sight Now supporters. 

The Wolfrum Lab logo on light background and Institut de la vision of paris logo on light background

1. Characterization of Naturally Occurring USH1B Pig Model – Individual Investigator Award, Wolfrum Lab

Recently a naturally occurring USH1B pig model was found on a German (in Hamburg) pig farm - this is a very significant discovery. Researchers spend millions of dollars and years trying to develop large animal models for testing therapies (like our recent NHP model), and a naturally occurring one has been found in the wild along with several others in the same cohort. We will be funding two brilliant inherited retinal disease scientists to characterize the pig’s mutations and phenotypes, keep the herd alive and taken care of, and begin testing new therapeutic strategies. This is a 3-year program.

2. USH1B Disease Pathologies, Treatments and Natural History Study – Multiple Investigator Program Award, Institut de la Vision

This is a very large USH1B comprehensive research program that includes some of the world’s leading Usher syndrome researchers - Isabelle Audo, Deniz Dalkara, Aziz El Amraoui, and Serge Picaud - who have been collaborating on USH1B work for multiple years. This project will focus on the continuation and observation of an USH1B natural history study (including 50 patients), furthering our understanding of the role that MYO7A (the gene responsible for USH1B) plays in the degradation of photoreceptors, and pursuing multiple treatment strategies. This is a 5-year program.

 

These programs are incredibly important for advancing USH1B research, specifically the focus on new therapies and a new large animal model. We are also very excited about the researchers involved, they are leaders within the inherited retinal disease and gene augmentation space. To see all four tracks of work we are funding, CLICK HERE.

If you’d like to help us continue funding life changing Usher syndrome research, click on the donate button below. Thank you.

 
 
Justin PorcanoUsher Syndrome, MYO7A, USH1B