Light-sensing cells to help restore visual functions! Called photoreceptors, light-sensing cells successfully transplanted directly into the eyes of mice, have restored their visual function.
Developed at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, the novel approach was carried out at the London Institute of Ophthalmology. According to the scientist-team, the transplanted photoreceptor precursor cells have survived and became integrated into the mouse retina in the experiment!
The technology is a breakthrough in transplantation-based therapies for neuro-degenerative diseases. Thus, it seems scientists may need to introduce changes in stem cells to help them become highly specialized neurons.
