Tranplanted Retinal Cells Help Blind Mice See (9/25/2006)
Researchers at Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) in Massachusetts have taken there stem cell technology to the next
step by implanting its retinal cells into rats.
The scientists implanted retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from human embryonic into rats that had been
genetically modified to have lost photoreceptor cell use. The rats were injected with the cells 21 days after birth
before the photoreceptor cells have started to degenerate. After 90 days, the rats were given eye exams, from which
it was determined that they had 70% of the visual acuity that a normal rat has.
This technique holds a lot of promise, but at the current time it seems fairly limited. The ACT is
working to generate clinical grade retinal cells with hopes of starting clinical trials in the near future.
Advanced Cell Technologies, Inc is a publically traded company (OTCBB:ACTC). It is attempting to develop
human embryonic stem cell technology for use in regenerative medicine.
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