RE: Lab-grown retina ups transplant hopes

[Guest guest]

I'm afraid I wasn't much help. Most of the sight restoration research appears to

involve the back of the eye, or the retina, or in some cases, the front of the

eye, or the cornea. I've never heard of blindness occurring under the conditions

you mentioned happened to you. I suspect your case is non-typical. At any rate,

it doesn't appear there are any real break-throughs any time soon for any of us.

Dave

" ...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the

world. " [ 16:33]

Lab-grown retina ups transplant hopes

Lab-grown retina ups transplant hopes

Alleyne

Edmonton Journal , Apr. 7, 2011

Eye transplants to cure blindness are a step closer after Japanese

scientists managed to " grow " a retina in the laboratory for the first time.

Researchers were amazed when stem cells in a test tube organized themselves

spontaneously into a complex structure that resembled the developing

embryonic eye. The development could lead to whole retinas being cultured

and then transplanted, restoring sight in the blind and visually impaired.

The team from the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Japan,

first cultivated embryonic stem cells in a test tube and then added proteins

to trigger their development. They hoped that they would form a recognizable

organ but were stunned when over 10 days they clustered together and began

to grow the " optical cup " of a retina.

Tests showed that the cells were functioning normally and were capable of

communicating with each other. The research was done on mouse eyes, but

there is no reason why a similar technique would not work on humans, said

the experts.

They hope within 10 years to be able to start clinical trials on retina

implants.

" This is an absolutely stunning achievement, " said Professor Robin Ali, an

ophthalmologist at University College London. " It is a landmark not just for

the retina but for regenerative medicine as a whole. "

The retina is the part of the eye where nerve cells convert light into

electrical and chemical signals that are sent to the brain down the optic

nerve.

If it is not working, then the eye is useless.

Yoshiki Sasai, the lead author of the study, said: " What we've been able to

do in this study is resolve a nearly century-old problem in embryology, by

showing that retinal precursors have the inherent ability to give rise to

the complex structure of the optic cup. "

The research was published in the journal Nature.

[Guest guest]

I'm afraid you are right Dave. I had several clients when I was

working who went blind after a severe illness or surgery. It is usually

caused from lack of oxygen to the eye and brain and destroys the nerve

endings permanently. It's really tough when you go into a hospital with

sight and come out with none.

Is that how your diabetes was diagnosed ?

_____

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of dave Bond

Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 12:29 PM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: Lab-grown retina ups transplant hopes

I'm afraid I wasn't much help. Most of the sight restoration research

appears to involve the back of the eye, or the retina, or in some cases, the

front of the eye, or the cornea. I've never heard of blindness occurring

under the conditions you mentioned happened to you. I suspect your case is

non-typical. At any rate, it doesn't appear there are any real

break-throughs any time soon for any of us.

Dave

" ...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the

world. " [ 16:33]

Lab-grown retina ups transplant hopes

Lab-grown retina ups transplant hopes

Alleyne

Edmonton Journal , Apr. 7, 2011

Eye transplants to cure blindness are a step closer after Japanese

scientists managed to " grow " a retina in the laboratory for the first time.

Researchers were amazed when stem cells in a test tube organized themselves

spontaneously into a complex structure that resembled the developing

embryonic eye. The development could lead to whole retinas being cultured

and then transplanted, restoring sight in the blind and visually impaired.

The team from the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Japan,

first cultivated embryonic stem cells in a test tube and then added proteins

to trigger their development. They hoped that they would form a recognizable

organ but were stunned when over 10 days they clustered together and began

to grow the " optical cup " of a retina.

Tests showed that the cells were functioning normally and were capable of

communicating with each other. The research was done on mouse eyes, but

there is no reason why a similar technique would not work on humans, said

the experts.

They hope within 10 years to be able to start clinical trials on retina

implants.

" This is an absolutely stunning achievement, " said Professor Robin Ali, an

ophthalmologist at University College London. " It is a landmark not just for

the retina but for regenerative medicine as a whole. "

The retina is the part of the eye where nerve cells convert light into

electrical and chemical signals that are sent to the brain down the optic

nerve.

If it is not working, then the eye is useless.

Yoshiki Sasai, the lead author of the study, said: " What we've been able to

do in this study is resolve a nearly century-old problem in embryology, by

showing that retinal precursors have the inherent ability to give rise to

the complex structure of the optic cup. "

The research was published in the journal Nature.