Glasgow researchers aim to cure inherited blindness in babies

Researchers from Glasgow Caledonian University are working with Yorkhill Children’s Charity to help treat Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis in children.

Dr Xinhua Shu has been awarded £40,000 to research the development of drugs for the treatment of the disorder by decreasing oxidative damage and improving the survival of light-sensitive cells.

Combined with gene therapy, it is hoped that the drugs will help children affected by the disease experience restored visual function in the long term.

Dr Shu works with zebrafish as they have similar retinas to people and will analyse the protective role of gypenosides in retinal cells and in vivo using a zebrafish model.