Reports of the creation of early-stage retinas in the laboratory give hopes for the future development of transplant ready retinas, which could help treat as yet incureable eye conditions such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
Scientists at UC Irvine in the USA have created the first ever three-dimentional tissue structure usining human embryonic stem cells, an eight layer, early-stage retina. In the process, called differentiation, the stem cells can be directed to become specific cells types that make up the retina. Tests are being performed to see if these lab created retinas improve vision in animals before human clinical trials are carried out.
Millions of people could benefit from retinal transplant with macular degeneration being the leading cause of age-related blindness and retinal pigmentose being a common form of sight-loss from an early age.
Read the full story at The Medical News by clicking here.
Thursday 27 May 2010
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