Rajendra S Apte, MD, PhD
Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Vice Chair for Innovation and Translation
- Email: apte@nospam.wustl.edu
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WashU Medicine’s Dr. Rajendra Apte receives $35,000 research grant award from the Macula Society to study the impact of the aging immune system on uveitis-related vision loss, aiming to discover targeted treatments for older patients.
ST. LOUIS, MO – November 4, 2024 – Dr. Rajendra S. Apte, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Vice Chair for Innovation and Translation at WashU Medicine, has received a $35,000 research grant from the Macula Society. This grant, in partnership with the International Retinal Research Foundation, will support the Apte Lab’s study, “Role of the Aging Immune System in Regulating Uveitis,” which aims to uncover how age-related changes in the immune system contribute to vision loss from uveitis in older adults.
Uveitis is a serious inflammatory eye condition that can lead to significant vision impairment, especially in aging populations. Dr. Apte’s research, conducted with Dr. Taku Yamamoto and their team, will explore how immune system aging affects uveitis progression and severity. By using advanced model systems to investigate ocular inflammation in older patients, the team seeks to identify new therapeutic pathways that could mitigate vision loss linked to this condition.
The Macula Society awarded the grant following a rigorous and highly competitive selection process. Research proposals were evaluated by the Society’s Research Committee using an objective scoring system and in-depth discussions to determine the scientific impact of each project. Dr. Apte’s work was chosen for its potential to significantly advance treatments for uveitis in aging populations.
Dr. Apte expressed his appreciation for the Macula Society’s support, emphasizing the critical need for this research. “This funding allows us to investigate how the immune system’s aging mechanisms contribute to vision loss in uveitis patients. Our findings could pave the way for innovative, targeted treatments that address this growing concern in ophthalmology.”
Dr. Taku Yamamoto added, “I hope that our project will provide deeper insights into immunosenescence in ocular inflammation.”
This research reflects WashU Medicine’s ongoing commitment to advancing eye health through innovative and impactful studies. The Macula Society’s grant will enable Dr. Apte and his team to pursue this promising area of investigation, potentially leading to life-changing treatments for uveitis in aging patients.
About the Macula Society
The Macula Society is a global organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and research in retinal health. Partnering with the International Retinal Research Foundation, the Society funds pioneering research, supports professional development, and fosters collaboration within the ophthalmic community to improve vision health worldwide.
About WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.
For more information about the Macula Society, International Retinal Research Foundation, the work of Dr. Apte or WashU Medicine, please visit: Macula Society | International Retinal Research Foundation | Apte Lab | WashU Medicine