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Cell Collection to Study Eye Diseases

This observational study is collecting cells from people with various retinal diseases, such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Retinal Degeneration, and Retinitis Pigmentosa, as well as from healthy volunteers. Researchers want to collect samples like hair, skin, saliva, urine, and blood to create special cells called iPS cells. These iPS cells can then be turned into eye cells, like those in the retina, to help understand how these diseases start and get worse. The goal is to discover new ways to treat these blinding eye conditions. You can join if you are between 1 day and 120 years old and have one of the listed eye conditions or are a healthy volunteer.

Study design
This is an observational study aiming to enroll 930 participants. It is not testing a specific intervention.
What's involved
You would provide samples such as hair, skin, saliva, urine, and/or blood.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study aims to identify molecular and physiological changes and differentiate iPS cells into ocular cells over the duration of the protocol.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT01432847

Cell Collection to Study Eye Diseases

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 1+Observational
National Eye Institute (NEI)
~930 participants
Updated 2026-08-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Discovery of therapeutic interventions for these ocular diseases
Measured over Duration of protocol
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Retinal Disease
AMD
Retinal Degeneration
Retinitis Pigmentosa

Explore related trials

Age-Related Macular DegenerationAnophthalmosBest vitelliform macular dystrophyCiliopathiesLate-Onset Retinal DegenerationMicrophthalmosOptic AtrophyRetinal DegenerationRetinal DisorderRetinitis Pigmentosa

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Maryland1

Study leadership

  • Fnu Ruchi, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · National Eye Institute (NEI)

Who to contact

Nancy Chen
[email protected]
(301) 435-1831
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Exclusion

African American women \<11.5 grams/dL
Other women \< 12.0 grams/dL
Men \<12.5 grams/dL 4. Participant has low hematocrit (HCT):
African American women \< 34%
Other women \<36%
Men \<38% 5. Participant has Platelets \<150 x 103/microL 6. Participant has Absolute neutrophil count \<1.0 x 103/microL. 7. Participant has positive tests for blood borne pathogens (as required by the Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services, American Association of Blood Banks. The currently required tests include anti-HIV1/2, anti-HCV, anti-HBc, Anti-HTLV I/II, anti-T. Cruzi, HBsAg, syphilis, and molecular testing for West Nile virus, HCV, HBV, and HIV-1).

What this trial measures

  • Discovery of therapeutic interventions for these ocular diseasesDuration of protocol

    The participant-specific ocular cells will be used to perform high throughput drug screens to identify novel potential therapeutic compounds.

  • The identification of molecular and physiological phenotypes in these cells that may be linked to the onset or progression of the ocular conditions being studied.Duration of protocol

    The differentiated cells will be used to elucidate molecular pathways that have led to disease pathogenesis.

  • The differentiation of iPS cells into RPE, neural retinal cells and/or other ocular cells.Duration of protocol

    The iPS cells will be differentiated into RPE, neural retinal and/or other ocular cells.

  • The creation of iPS cells from at least one of the three types of somatic tissues collected from each participant.Duration of protocol

    This study will establish a repository of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and/or blood cells collected from participants with eye diseases and from matched controls without any eye diseases. The somatic cell repository will be used to generate iPS cells.