NEI Grant Renewal Awarded to Dr. Puthussery
By Liza Shevchuk
We are excited to share that Dr. Teresa Puthussery has received a new grant award from the National Eye Institute (NEI). The grant, “Structure and Function of Primate Retinal Circuits,” began on September 1, 2025, and will run through August 31, 2028. This award is a competitive renewal of the grant she has successfully held since 2014, with direct cost funding of $750,000 over three years. Congratulations, Dr. Puthussery and the entire lab!
About the Project
This project seeks to determine how specific output neurons of the retina (ganglion cells) process visual information and send signals to the brain. Our approach combines state-of-the-art methods to characterize these cells with respect to their genetic signatures, retinal distribution, anatomy and function. Importantly, this study will allow us to better understand whether specialized ganglion cell types found in lower vertebrates are conserved in higher mammals, including humans. The outcomes will inform efforts to develop more realistic models of human vision and to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for neurodegenerative retinal diseases.