For the first time, doctors have partially restored the vision of a completely blind French man using light-sensing algae proteins. The breakthrough marks a significant milestone in genetic blindness treatment.
The man was diagnosed with the rare, genetic eye condition retinitis pigmentosa (RP) which causes the death of light-sensing cells on the retina forty years ago. The condition affects over two million people worldwide, and while complete blindness is rare, the man has had no vision for the past twenty years.
The French man, whose identity has not been revealed, was treated with optogenetics therapy, which uses the algae proteins to control cells at the back of his eye. He first realized the treatment was working when he could see the painted stripes of a crosswalk. Impressively, he can now count and grab objects too!
According to the study published on May 24 in Nature Medicine, this is the first reported case of partial functional recovery in a neurodegenerative condition after optogenetic therapy.
Optogenetics is a standard tool in fundamental neuroscience research, but its new to the world of medicine. It works by using light to activate specific brain cells and was used by the doctors in France to restore one of the mans eyes to detect light.
In his case, the light-detecting cells in his retina had died off a long time ago; therefore, the doctors inserted an algae gene into the surviving cells of the retina at the back of his eye. This caused them to produce channelrhodopsins, a protein found in algae that helps the photosynthetic microbes move toward light sources. In other words, now, when they are hit with light, they will send an electrical signal directly to the brain.
Since theres a big difference between photosynthetic algae and the human eye, the new therapy has limitations. It didnt restore the mans vision to normal levels and didnt allow him to see in color. However, they would respond to amber-colored light.
To solve this problem, the patient wore special goggles with a video camera and projector to capture the real world and translate a version in the correct wavelength onto the back of his eye, allowing him to see.
After months of training and building up high enough levels of the rhodopsins in the eye, the mans brain finally learned how to see again, starting with the white stripes of a pedestrian crossing.
Dr. Jos-Alain Sahel, who treated the patient at Pariss Institute of Vision, said:
This patient initially was a bit frustrated because it took a long time between the injection and when he started to see something. But when he started to report spontaneously that he could see the white stripes across the street, you can imagine he was very excited. We were all excited.
Not only did the patient report identifying the crosswalk, but that he could count the number of white stripes too! After more training, the patient displayed a significant improvement in daily visual activities, including detecting a mug, plate, phone, furniture in a room, or a door in a corridor, but only while using the goggles. Therefore, treatment by combining an optogenetic route with light-stimulating goggles led to a decent level of visual recovery.
While the mans eyesight isnt perfect, the difference between no vision and limited is a life-changer. The findings provide proof-of-concept that using optogenetic therapy to partially restore vision is possible, concluded Prof. Botond Roska from the University of Basel.
James Bainbridge, a retinal studies professor at the UKs UCL, said:
This exciting new technology might help people whose eyesight is very severely impaired.
Researchers are also exploring optogenetic therapy for conditions like Parkinsons disease to see whether it can improve recovery from a stroke.
In recent years, scientists have developed several approaches to restore sight. One includes correcting the genetic defects that cause RP, a challenging task since the disease has a significant number of mutations in over 71 different genes. In 2018, scientists at Oxford University in the UK completed a first gene therapy trial, improving patients vision for Choroideremia (one of the many forms of RP) by injecting a single healthy gene into their eyes. Their results were published in Nature Medicine.
Go here to read the rest:
Algae Gene Therapy Partially Restored Completely Blind Man's Vision - Intelligent Living
- New gene offers hope for preventive medicine against fractures [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2012]
- Colon Cancer Gene Database May Assist Research Efforts [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Researchers discover gene that causes deafness [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Gene Study Yields New Clues to Breast Cancer [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Gene key to chemotherapy efficacy [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Gene clues offer new hope for treating breast cancer [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Gene that causes deafness pinpointed [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Gene that causes a form of deafness discovered [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Novel gene associated with Usher syndrome identified [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- Translational Regenerative Medicine: Market Prospects 2012-2022 [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- Two-day test can spot gene diseases in newborns [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Fast Gene Screen May Help Sick Babies [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Gene therapies need new development models [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Rapid gene machines used to find cause of newborn illnesses [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Gene behind many spontaneous breast cancers identified [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Gene responsible for many spontaneous breast cancers identified [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Two-day test can spot gene diseases in newborns - Wed, 03 Oct 2012 PST [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Researchers Discover Gene Defect Linked to Deafness [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Gene diseases in newborns unveiled quicker [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- Quicker gene test may help babies - Thu, 04 Oct 2012 PST [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- Rapid gene-mapping test may diagnose disease in newborns [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- 2-day test can spot gene diseases in newborns [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Gene diseases in newborns spotted with 2-day test [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- Rare Gene Deletion Tied To Psychiatric Disease And Obesity [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Mount Sinai researchers discover gene signature that predicts prostate cancer survival [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Test Spots Newborn Gene Disease [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Gene signature predicts prostate cancer survival [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Researchers Discover Gene Signature that Predicts Prostate Cancer Survival [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Bioethics Panel Urges More Gene Privacy Protection [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- High Levels of Blood-Based Protein Specific to Mesothelioma [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2012]
- Gene clues to help tackle skin disease [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Additive effect of small gene variations can increase risk of autism spectrum disorders [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- 2-gene test predicts which patients with heart failure respond best to beta-blocker drug [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Two-gene test predicts which patients with heart failure respond best to beta-blocker drug [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- Gene Linked to Kidney Failure [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Nanoparticles seen as gene therapy advance [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Sickle Cell Anemia - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Sickle Cell Anemia: Stem Cell Gene Therapy - Donald Kohn - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Finding A Cure For Cancer with Dr. Aaron Rapoport - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- First gene therapy to go on sale in Europe in 2013: company [Last Updated On: November 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2012]
- Nanomedicine: Infectious Diseases, Immunotherapy, Diagnostics, Antifibrotics, Toxicology And Gene Me - Video [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2012]
- Stress gene linked to heart attack – Study [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Why not gift yourself with gene test this Christmas? [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- "Stress gene" may raise heart attack risk in healthy people [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- 'Stress Gene' Ups Heart Attack, Death Risk [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Common disorders: It's not the genes themselves, but how they are controlled [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- What is a gene? - Genetics Home Reference [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Gene Medicine | Business Outline | About Us | TAKARA BIO INC. [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Worldwide [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Genentech - Official Site [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2013]
- Gene Therapy - American Medical Association [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2013]
- Researchers identify gene that influences the ability to remember faces [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2013]
- Gene That Influences Bonding Also Found To Impact Facial Recognition [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2013]
- Gene Therapy Method Targets Tumor Blood Vessels [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2013]
- Latin Americans inherited diabetes gene risk from Neanderthals [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2013]
- Gene that influences the ability to remember faces identified [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2013]
- Study supports a causal role in narcolepsy for a common genetic variant [Last Updated On: January 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 2nd, 2014]
- Increasing Investments in Molecular Biology Research Drives the Market for DNA Gene Chips, According to a New Trend ... [Last Updated On: January 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 2nd, 2014]
- Loss of Function of a Single Gene Linked to Diabetes in Mice [Last Updated On: January 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 3rd, 2014]
- Gene Medicine and Health [Last Updated On: January 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 3rd, 2014]
- Gene Therapy - Nature [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- KidsHealth for Parents - Gene Therapy and Children [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2014]
- Gene Patent Case Fuels U.S. Court Test of Stem Cell Right [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2014]
- Gene Mutation Increases Certain Health Risks For Blacks, Study Finds [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2014]
- Single faulty gene causes major type 2 diabetes symptom in mice [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2014]
- No 'brakes' -- Study finds mechanism for increased activity of oncogene in certain cancers [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2014]
- AML score that combines genetic and epigenetic changes might help guide therapy [Last Updated On: January 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2014]
- Stem cell research identifies new gene targets in patients with Alzheimer's disease [Last Updated On: January 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2014]
- 14 new gene targets in Alzheimer’s identified [Last Updated On: January 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2014]
- Scientists uncover new target for brain cancer treatment [Last Updated On: January 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2014]
- Tweaking MRI to Track Creatine May Spot Heart Problems Earlier, Penn Medicine Study Suggests [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2014]
- RSNA: Gene Variation Associated with Brain Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2014]
- Keeping Stem Cells Pluripotent [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2014]
- Gene variation associated with brain atrophy in mild cognitive impairment [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2014]
- Genes: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - National Library of ... [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2014]
- Gene Therapy May Restore Sight in People With Rare Blinding Disease [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2014]
- Gene therapy treats blindness [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2014]
- New Genetic Clue to Lupus Is Found [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2014]
- New Gene Machine Could Mean More Accurate Diagnosis [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2014]
- Same cell death pathway involved in three forms of blindness, study finds [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2014]