The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) a $697,745 Project Grant under the NEI Vision Research program (CFDA 93.867) to optimize lipid nanoparticles for retinal gene editing in non-human primates. The key objectives are to: 1) determine the physicochemical features of lipid nanoparticles that facilitate photoreceptor expression of gene editors, 2) evaluate the immunogenicity of lipid nanoparticles in the subretinal space, and 3) quantify in vivo gene editing efficiency in photoreceptors. Successful completion of these aims will generate novel lipid nanoparticle platforms capable of mediating the expression of gene editors in non-human primate photoreceptors, advancing the development of lipid nanoparticle-based gene editing therapies for inherited retinal dystrophies. The award period runs from Jul 1, 2024 to Apr 30, 2029.