Journalists at Fierce Biotech summarized exciting research from the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona. They are studying how stem cell biotechnology can be improved in retina disease treatment models. Stem cells have properties that could help retinas repair themselves, but there are current limitations with the uptake of repaired cells back into the affected tissues. An increasing number of researchers globally are studying stem cells in the hopes of providing alternative treatment options for retinal disease.
What this means for Usher syndrome: Any research done on retinal disease is of interest to people with Usher syndrome. Stem cell research provides a unique future treatment option with retinal transplants. Additionally, scientists may be able to grow healthy retinal cells in the laboratory and use transplants to restore vision in the future.
