# Geobiology of Cataracts

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2020 · $557,282

## Abstract

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. They can be caused by congenital mutations of
lens proteins or by various diseases including diabetes. We have recently studied mice carrying connexin
mutations (Cx46fs380 and Cx50D47A) that mimic human cataract-linked mutations. The lenses of these mice
accumulate calcium which forms precipitates that correspond to the cataracts. We hypothesize that bio-
mineralization is a general mechanism of cataract formation. We will characterize the composition of calcium
precipitates in connexin mutant mice and the relation between their formation and cataract development. We
will test whether mice with mutations of a different lens protein (γB-crystallin) or mice with experimentally-
induced cataracts also contain calcium precipitates. This proposal may give insights into fundamental
pathogenic mechanisms of cataracts and lead to new preventative/therapeutic approaches.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10052015
- **Project number:** 1R01EY030914-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** VIVIANA M BERTHOUD BARRANDEGUY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $557,282
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10052015

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10052015, Geobiology of Cataracts (1R01EY030914-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10052015. Licensed CC0.

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