As the foundation for every organ and tissue in the human body, stem cells have demonstrated the potential and promise for the treatment of many common diseases, including spinal cord injury, burns, diabetes, and Parkinson’s.
A recent experimental study has generated a new technique that can restore vision in mice that display end-stage eye disease, generally considered to lead to irreversible vision loss. By utilizing stem cells in a lab to grow new retina tissue, which was subsequently transplanted into the mice with retinal degeneration, scientists concluded that over 40% of the mice showed increased ability to see light.
The results of this procedure are particularly significant, given that this is the first time researchers have successfully transplanted the retina’s light receptors—the cells that sense light—in order to connect them to the nervous system, which ultimately transmits signals to the brain.
While human eyes invariably have a different environment than mice, and might not accept the same retinal transplants, the clinical study shows possible far-reaching implications and results for stem cell research.
Recognizing the need for knowledge surrounding stem cell protocols and practices, Metabolic Medical Institute has designed the world’s first Stem Cell Fellowship program. Learn more about the Stem Cell Fellowship.