New stem cell replacement technique discovered

Scientists have discovered a new stem cell replacement technique which restores vision in mice with end-stage retinal degeneration, according to a study published in Stem Cell Reports.

RIKEN center for Developmental Biology researchers found retinal tissue derived from stem cells established connections with neighboring cells which led to visual function restoration in half of the mice tested.

To make the findings more applicable to patients, researchers are currently testing the ability of human retinal tissue to restore visual function in animals with end-stage retinal degeneration.

If this is successful, the next stage would be clinical trials.

Senior study author Masayo Takahashi said: ‘From our data, the post-transplantation retina can respond to light already at one month in mice, but since the human retina takes a longer time to mature, it may take five to six months for the transplanted retina to start responding to light.’