Achieved partial recovery of vision in blind mice
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Posted on April 27, 2020
A study, published in the journal Nature, shows the partial restoration of vision in blind mice using a method that chemically generates new photoreceptors, the cells responsible for converting light into nerve impulses that the brain transforms into images.
Experts hope to move therapy to humans in 2-3 years.
The method consists of chemically reprogramming dermal fibroblasts (a type of cell that serves to maintain the structure between tissues and heal wounds) to photoreceptor cells similar to those of the retina. This technology allows scientists to generate retinal replacement cells in less than 2 weeks.
Since most diseases of the retina, such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, have in common the loss of photoreceptors, this treatment could have a great impact on future generations.
