# Systems-Biology Analysis of Mechanisms Informing Preeclampsia-Mediated ROP Protection

> **NIH NIH K08** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $165,629

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a neovascular retinal disease of preterm infants that has a significant clinical
impact, accounting for up to 40% of all childhood blindness. ROP demonstrates a delayed disease onset after
preterm delivery, offering a clinical window for prevention. However, we lack insight into early ROP disease
mechanisms and are therefore unable to predict which infants are at greatest disease risk or prevent ROP.
Maternal preeclampsia represents a natural model of ROP protection; greater understanding of the mechanisms
underlying ROP protection in this setting may allow for identification of novel prediction and prevention strategies.
Preeclampsia is a complex disease state thought to have multifactorial etiology, which is incompletely modeled
in animals, making analysis of human preeclampsia-mediated ROP protection most translationally impactful.
The purpose of this scientific work is to use a systems-biology analysis to understand the contribution of
maternal, fetal and placental pathobiology to preterm infant ROP risk and mechanisms in the setting of
preeclampsia. This includes disease biomarker analysis in Specific Aim1, an integrated analysis of genomic and
epigenomic placental disease mechanisms in Specific Aim 2 and histologic analysis of placental protection
mechanisms in Specific Aim 3. The overall goal of the integrated career development plan is to prepare the
candidate to become an expert in identifying novel early ROP disease mechanisms through expertise in
maternal, fetal and placental pathobiology in human populations, which represents a fundamental transition in
both methodology and knowledge base for the candidate. The Training Aims complement Scientific Aims well
and focus on critical training gaps. These include didactic and practical learning in 1) Advanced biologic and
epidemiology statistical methods 2) Comprehensive maternal-placental pathobiology 3) Genomic and
epigenomic methods, data analysis, and application and 4) Translational research team leadership. This career
development and research training will be overseen by an outstanding, complementary and multidisciplinary
mentoring team of researchers and mentors and will be conducted at an institution with a strong record of
providing excellent support, rich training and educational resources. The candidate’s department is committed
to the success of this early career clinician-scientist, providing any additional resources necessary to complete
the proposed career development and research aims, and ensuring ongoing protected research time. The
proposed approach is a well-supported training mechanism and future program of research that holds significant
translational promise for continued contribution to improved risk stratification, ROP prevention and promotion of
normal retinal vascularization. This comprehensive training will provide a strong foundation toward achieving the
candidates career goal of an independent, NIH funded, pro...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10040263
- **Project number:** 1K08EY031800-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Leah A Owen
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $165,629
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10040263

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10040263, Systems-Biology Analysis of Mechanisms Informing Preeclampsia-Mediated ROP Protection (1K08EY031800-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10040263. Licensed CC0.

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