Houston Methodist Research Institute has received a USD 1.03 million NIH R56 grant from the National Eye Institute to support preclinical research into engineered mesenchymal stem cells designed to transfer healthy mitochondria into damaged retinal cells in dry age-related macular degeneration. The two-year award, running from May 2026 through April 2028, will support work led by principal investigator Elvin Blanco on a mitochondrial transfer strategy aimed at addressing retinal degeneration linked to cellular energy dysfunction. The project, titled “Mitochondrial factories for AMD therapy,” is based on research suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to retinal degeneration and disease progression in dry AMD.
The program will evaluate mesenchymal stem cells engineered to overexpress nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, with the aim of increasing mitochondrial production and transfer to stressed retinal cells. Preclinical studies will assess the approach in retinal cell systems and animal models of retinal degeneration.
Dry AMD remains an area of significant unmet need, with limited therapeutic options for late-stage disease. The award also reflects broader NIH interest in mitochondrial biology and cell-engineering strategies as potential approaches for degenerative ophthalmic disorders.
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