Gallego announces $782K grant for Texas Biomedical Research Institute

San Antonio.- Congressman Pete P. Gallego announced a federal grant of $782,316 for Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) in San Antonio. The project is funded by the National Eye Institute and the National Institute of Health and is called “Genetic Epidemiology of Ocular Health and Disease.” Texas Biomed will be conducting research to identify genetic factors that influence eye health and disease, such as nearsightedness and cataracts.

“I am always supportive of folks in health care fields who work and conduct research in 23rd District of Texas,” U.S. Rep. Gallego said. “Their work has a global impact and improves the lives of many – and the potential to improve even more. This particular study looks at what may influence eye health and disease. And, not only will this project improve the quality of life for people around the globe, it also helps create jobs in health care and research here in San Antonio.”

The research is part of an ongoing 28 year partnership between Texas Biomed and the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu, Nepal. The project hopes to identify key genetic factors in the Jirel ethnic group of Nepal. Approximately 2,300 Jirels have participated in previous studies with 2,000 set to participate in this new study.

“The size and strength of this extended, multigenerational [Jirel] family provides a high likelihood of success in identifying genes that influence both normal eye health and eye diseases,” said a Texas Biomed representative. “This will provide great insight into the causal mechanisms pertaining to the onset and/or progression of eye diseases.”

For many participants, the study will provide their first ever eye exam and provide glasses to many of the participants who may need them.