Scientists successfully developed mouse retina through stem cell therapy

Scientists recently achieved a milestone by successfully growing mouse retina through stem cell therapy. Basic retina was generated by use of embryonic stem cells. Retina is that part of the eye which is used n the detection of entrance of light that provides the correct vision. The retinal tissue can be effectively used in the treatment of wide variety of eye disorders like retinitis pigmentosa. These are also effective against macular damage that occurs with growing age. The tissue would be thus useful in the investigation and determination of new drugs for varied range of eye disorders.

Scientists made use of embryonic cells and a gel was injected to proliferate the three dimensional growth of the retinal cells. Gradually cells cluster formed an optic vesicle, then became an optic cup and later formed a structure helpful in treatment of eye. Researchers believe that the method will generate bulk amount of cells to cure blindness through transplantation mechanism. However, the experts are hoping to grow retinal cells of human being also and the research is still under process. This way the stem cell treatments would be used to recover the lost vision in the human beings to some extent, who have lost their sight completely.

According to the professor Robin Ali, of London College this research is one its first kind that has been successful in the making of a complex structure from the stem cells extracted from embryo. Professor Ali was however not part of this study. No one would have ever imagined that a day would come when scientists will be growing a complete tissue in a dish. Due to efforts of stem cells international societies and scientists working in medical centers and institutes it has been possible to cure several chronic diseases.

In the year of 2006 Professor Ali with his colleagues had done a successful transplant of retinal cells to adult mice form the newly born mice. These cells then integrated with the eye of adult mice and started functioning like the light sensitive cells. One of the major issues with that research was where to obtain cells from. This recent research done although has resolved a large number of conflicts. The study published in a journal reveals that stem cells taken from embryo have the ability to regenerate and give rise to some typical structure. Scientists believe that it is just the initiation. With time they will be able to come out with more stem cells solutions not only against blindness but for other disorders also. Stem cell technology thus has made large number of treatments possible that were once beyond imagination.