NEI offers $1 million for in vitro retina model

The National Eye Institute (NEI) has launched an initiative called the NEI 3-D Retina Organoid Challenge, a research competition to develop a robust retina organoid system that can be used to develop and test improved treatments for retinal diseases.

Derived from stem cells or isolated organ progenitors, organoids are 3-dimensional tissue cultures that accurately represent an organ’s function and microanatomy.

The challenge aims to galvanize innovative, cross-discipline collaborations to transform current culture and organoid protocols, with an end goal of creating a field standard model that faithfully recapitulates human tissue.

The winning scientists will receive up to $1 million in prizes as well as exposure throughout the academic and industry communities.

Guidelines and requirements for proposals will be released with the Spring 2017 launch. Proposals are due in August 2017.