Thursday, April 21, 2011

Big news on Stem Cell based Artificial Retina!!

Great to hear so many encouraging news from Science in action podcast. Really feels good to see advancements in science.

Artificial retina grown in lab
In a significant step forward in stem cell science, scientists in Japan have created an artificial retina from embryonic mouse stem cells in the lab. The retina is the back part of the eye, which has photosensitive cells, which react with light and allow us to see. The artificial retina is only at an early developmental stage. But it could be used as a tool for disease modelling. And in future, if the same process can be done using stem cells from the patient, the retina could be used to harvest these photosensitive cells for transplant. There are 150 single gene mutations that affect the retina, including age-related macular degeneration which affects 10% of patients aged 66 to 74.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00fvlfk#synopsis

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