Russian scientists have learned to return vision
Today's advances in medicine can cope with almost any visual impairment, be it farsightedness, myopia or amblyopia. However, the healing of people who have completely lost their eyesight remains impossible. Russian scientists intend to change this state of affairs. The key to solving the problem, in their opinion, lies in genetic engineering.
The joint efforts of scientists from Moscow State University, the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences technology modifications of eye cells with the ability to synthesize a photosensitive protein. A special virus will serve as a vehicle for the new gene, which will deliver it to the cells of the eye.
As noted by neurophysiologist Pavel Balaban, the developed gene can make photosensitive almost any cell. In the vast majority of cases of blindness, the optic nerve remains intact. Light can penetrate the nerve through an open eye, but it is not able to perceive it. If you teach the cells of the optic nerve to perceive light, then they will transmit quite a good image to the brain.
Behind the scientists the first phases of testing, and now they have to improve the technology. Clinical trials are scheduled for 2021-2022.
The joint efforts of scientists from Moscow State University, the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences technology modifications of eye cells with the ability to synthesize a photosensitive protein. A special virus will serve as a vehicle for the new gene, which will deliver it to the cells of the eye.
As noted by neurophysiologist Pavel Balaban, the developed gene can make photosensitive almost any cell. In the vast majority of cases of blindness, the optic nerve remains intact. Light can penetrate the nerve through an open eye, but it is not able to perceive it. If you teach the cells of the optic nerve to perceive light, then they will transmit quite a good image to the brain.
Behind the scientists the first phases of testing, and now they have to improve the technology. Clinical trials are scheduled for 2021-2022.
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