World Health Organization data show that 285 million people worldwide live with complete or partial loss of vision. Fortunately, science continues to advance and modern scientists can now grow eye tissue using cell reprogramming technology that was recently discovered.
Body cell reprogramming technology
This idea belongs to Shina Yamanaka, a professor at Kyoto University. Yamanake and British biologist John Gerdon won the Nobel Prize for their work in 2012.
The essence of this discovery is as follows: Yamanake, together with his colleagues, discovered that cells that have a role in the body are able to return to their embryonic state through a reprogramming procedure. Then these reprogrammed cells can be used to "grow" the necessary organs and tissues, and then use them in transplant and regenerative medicine.
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Clinical trials
This is how scientists came to "growing" eye tissue, thanks to which partial and even complete blindness is treatable. Clinical trials of eye tissue transplantation are carried out by scientists from many countries. Researchers from the Universities of Cardiff and Osaka transplanted corneal epithelium in blind rabbits to repair the front of the eyeball.
Similar tests were carried out at the Russian Federal Research Institute of Physical Chemistry, as a result of which scientists were able to grow the retina from skin cells.
Human tests
Scientists are planning to conduct clinical studies in which people will take part this year. The retinal transplant surgery will be performed in a family whose members need to be treated for genetic macular degeneration.
Anna Pismenna