Programs and Research Priorities
The research projects supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI) address the leading causes of blindness and impaired vision in the United States. The NEI supports a broad range of basic and clinical research, clinical trials and other epidemiologic studies, and research training and career development in the sciences related to vision.
There are many examples of research areas of overlapping scientific interest between the NEI and other NIH Institutes and Centers. For example, diabetic retinopathy may be of interest to both the NEI and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases. And studies of the fetal alcohol system may be of interest to both NEI and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Usually, NEI is given primary assignment when the emphasis is on visual function or a visual system disease. Primary assignment is given to another awarding unit when the eye or visual system is to be used only as a convenient model system for research on more general biological properties, or when functions of the eye or the visual system are being monitored as only one of many organs or systems. In the area of ocular tumors, for example, NEI is particularly interested in research projects that may lead to a better understanding of normal visual system development or function. NCI receives primary assignment when the main research emphasis is on more general biological properties of tumors such as metastasis, angiogenesis, or neovascularization.
The NEI frequently supports studies using those model organisms and model systems which are readily applicable to understanding problems in human vision. But potential applicants should be aware that, in general, NEI does not fund studies of phototropism, invertebrate light-gathering proteins, bacteriorhodopsin, or Chlamydomonas.
A detailed description of NEI program priorities and funding policies is contained in the site http://www.nei.nih.gov/strategicplanning/. This page describes the planning process and contains the current Phase I NEI strategic planning document "National Plan for Eye and Vision Research". An update of the plan is presently underway.
The research objectives and opportunities given below are representative only, and are not intended to be an all-inclusive compilation of areas of interest to the NEI. Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact one of the NEI extramural program directors to discuss their research, training, or career development plans. All Division of Extramural Research staff members may be reached at 301-451-2020.
Retinal Diseases
- Explore the molecular and biochemical bases for the different forms of age-related macular degeneration.
- Identify the genes involved in retinal degenerative diseases.
- Analyze the pathogenesis of vascular diseases of the retina in order to develop improved strategies for prevention and treatment.
- Understand how retinal networks process visual images.
- Explore the role of glia in the maintenance of retinal neuron function.
- Delineate the interacting roles of the environment and genetics as risk factors for retinal disease.
- Establish the causes and etiology of uveitis and improve methods for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
- Examine the genetic component of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and retinal detachment to aid the development of antiproliferative drugs.
- Explore the cell biology of cones.
- Develop strategies to enhance retinal ganglion cell regeneration.
- Develop new treatments for retinal diseases.
Program Director:
Dr. Thomas N. Greenwell, Retinal Neuroscience, 301-451-2020, greenwellt@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Lisa A. Neuhold, Fundamental Retinal Processes, 301-451-2020, lneuhold@nei.nih.gov
Dr. Grace L. Shen, Retinal Diseases, 301-451-2020, ShenG@nei.nih.gov
Corneal Diseases
- Understand the biology of the ocular surface system.
- Understand infectious, inflammatory, and immunological processes affecting the cornea.
- Explore, characterize, and analyze the causes of corneal graft rejection and neovascularization.
Program Director:
Dr. George Anne McKie, 301-451-2020, mckiegeo@mail.nih.gov
Lens and Cataract
- Apply population genetics to identify gene-environment interactions that may confer susceptibility to age-related cataract.
- Identify genes, pathways, and cis gene regulatory elements that control eye development critical for lens formation.
- Characterize the elements regulating the cell cycle in lens epithelial cells.
- Understand the molecular and mechanistic bases of lens accommodation and presbyopia.
- Determine the structural biology of components of the lens circulatory system.
Program Director:
Dr. Houmam Araj, 301-451-2020, arajh@mail.nih.gov
Glaucoma and Optic Neuropathies
- Develop improved diagnostic measures to detect the onset of optic nerve disease.
- Develop novel therapeutic approaches to optic neuropathies.
- Identify and characterize the genes, pathways, and regulatory signals responsible for optic nerve disease.
- Determine the mechanisms of optic nerve damage and retinal ganglion cell loss and survival in optic nerve diseases such as glaucoma.
- Develop transgenic and other animal models of optic nerve disease, with an emphasis on the principal clinical subtypes of glaucoma.
Program Director:
Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, 301-451-2020, agarwalnee@nei.nih.gov
Strabismus, Amblyopia, and Visual Processing
- Understand the molecular and cellular signals which influence the growth of axons and the axonal cytoskeleton.
- Delineate the mechanisms that control arealization and specification in the visual cortex.
- Develop and apply innovative approaches to detect and treat strabismus and amblyopia.
- Increase understanding of the critical period in order to determine how experience alters connectivity in the developing visual system.
- Determine the molecular, cellular, and genetic mechanisms that affect degeneration and regeneration in the central visual pathways.
- Characterize the circuitry patterns within and among visual areas which account for the influence of stimulus context on neuronal responsivity.
- Develop a better understanding of the neural control, biomechanical properties, and anatomical relationships of the tissues around the eye muscles and the roles they play in guiding eye movements.
- Attain a clearer understanding of how signals for voluntary eye movements are processed within cortical circuits.
Program Directors:
Dr. Houmam Araj, Oculomotor Systems and Neuro-Ophthalmology, 301-451-2020, arajh@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Michael A. Steinmetz, Development and Regeneration of Central visual Pathways, 301-451-2020, steinmem@nei.nih.gov
Dr. Cheri Wiggs, Perception and Psychophysics, 301-451-2020, wiggsc@mail.nih.gov
Low Vision and Blindness Rehabilitation
- Improve understanding of central nervous system function and plasticity in order to optimize the perceptual processing capabilities of people with low vision or blindness.
- Characterize the visual and nonvisual requirements for performing everyday tasks.
- Develop new technologies and rehabilitation strategies to minimize the impact of visual impairment.
- Develop a knowledge base of design requirements necessary for optimizing navigation tasks by individuals with visual impairment.
Program Director:
Dr. Cheri Wiggs, 301-451-2020, wiggsc@mail.nih.gov
Ocular Genetics
The study of genetic factors which underlie structure, function, and disease susceptibility is common to all scientific programs of the NEI. Therefore, the large-scale projects which employ a common genetic technology have been organized into an over-arching grant portfolio. The program director not only manages these extramural grants but also serves as Associate Director of the NEI, with a liaison role in integrating and stimulating the development of NEI intramural/extramural ocular genetics resources.
Program Director:
Dr. Hemin R. Chin, 301-451-2020, hemin@nei.nih.gov
Ocular Infection, Inflammation, and Immunology
The study of immunologic, inflammatory, and infectious processes which underlie disease pathogenesis and susceptibility is common to all scientific programs of the NEI. Therefore, projects which focus on research in these areas have been organized into an over-arching grant portfolio.
Program Director:
Dr. George A. McKie, 301-451-2020, mckiegeo@mail.nih.gov
Myopia and Refractive Error
These topics span several of the scientific programs of the NEI, and research in these areas has been organized into a single over-arching grant portfolio:
- These topics span several of the scientific programs of the NEI, and research in these areas has been organized into a single over-arching grant portfolio.
- Delineate the etiology of myopia.
- Determine the risk factors associated with the development of myopia and other refractive errors.
- Delineate the biochemical pathways associated with control of the growth of the eye.
Program Director:
Dr. Jerome R. Wujek, 301-451-2020, wujekjer@mail.nih.gov
Collaborative Clinical Research
The NEI supports single center and multi center clinical trials and other epidemiologic and health services research. Collectively, these projects are directed toward furthering knowledge about the predictors for and natural history of visual system diseases and disorders and developing better prevention and management strategies for these conditions.
Program Directors:Mr. Donald F. Everett, Clinical Trials, 301-451-2020, dfe@nei.nih.gov
Dr. Natalie Kurinij, Epidemiology and Clinical Studies, 301-451-2020, nxk@nei.nih.gov
Dr. Steven R. Oversby, Collaborative Clinical Research, 301-451-2020, soversby@mail.nih.gov
Dr. Maryann Redford, Collaborative Clinical Research, 301-451-2020, maryann.redford@nei.nih.gov
Dr. Eleanor B. Schron, Clinical Applications, 301-451-2020, schrone@mail.nih.gov
Center Core Grants
The NEI supports P30 Center Core Grants which provide resource modules for institutions with more than eight eligible NEI grants
Program Director:
Dr. Ellen S. Liberman, 301-451-2020, esl@nei.nih.gov
Small Business Research
The NEI supports both the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) (R43, R44) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs. Proposals may address any topic in vision research, see http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbirsttr1/2006-2_SBIR-STTR-topics.doc for further details.
Program Director:
Dr. Jerome R. Wujek, 301-451-2020, wujekjer@mail.nih.gov
Training Officer
This individual coordinates all research training programs which address any topic in vision research. This includes serving as the contact point for information.
Program Director:
Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, 301-451-2020, agarwalnee@nei.nih.gov
Research Resources Officer
This individual coordinates resource issues which affect all the programs of the NEI. This includes serving as the contact point for Research Supplements and R13/U13 Conference Grants.
Program Director:
Dr. Jerome R. Wujek, 301-451-2020, wujekjer@mail.nih.gov
Last Updated: August 2011
