A stem cell-based therapy for restoring vision

A revolutionary surgery was performed last week by Dr. Masayo Takahashi's group in Kobe, Japan. Dr. Takahashi's team created retinal cells using skin cells of a patient with macular degeneration and transplanted them back to the patient.
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001564776

Here is a summary of their new therapy to restore vision
1. Collect skin cells from a patient.
2. Create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from skin cells of the patient.
3. Differentiate iPS cells into retinal cells.
4. Transplant these retinal cells back to the patient.

We still don't know if this patient's vision will improve. However, this is an important step toward a cure for blindness. Our team is taking a similar strategy, and I hope that we can create multiple types of retinal cells and transplant them back to our patients.

I was very encouraged by the news. I am hopeful. Thank you for reading this blog. I hope you will have a wonderful Sunday.