Author: r3y1

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Stem Cells and Eye Development

six6GFP-CRISPR-Cas9

Advances in stem cell culturing and differentiation across the world now make it possible to explore human retinal development in vitro. Our lab uses human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) grown as 3D “mini-retinas” or as dissociated 2D monolayers to investigate this biology. Using gene editing techniques (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9) we are exploring the fundamental biology of the retina by engineering cells to express cell type specific fluorescent protein reporters and then studying them from the first neural retina cells to the final stages of differentiation. It is hoped that this information will lead to the potential application as a transplantable source of tissue, a model for eye development and a system to develop “disease-in-a-dish” models for retinal degenerative disease.

 

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Retinal degenerative (RD) disease

Retinal degenerative (RD) disease, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA) and glaucoma are blinding disorders, that unfortunately, are untreatable once photoreceptors or ganglion cells are lost.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a remarkable cell that can give rise to virtually every cell type in the body including cells that form the eye. Retinas derived from such stem cells offer a potential means to generate new cells and tissue for transplantation, a system to address the origins of disease and a platform to screen for drugs that could block the disease process.

Identification of the epigenetic biomarker 5hmC in retinal degeneration. Wahlin et al. 2013. (Epigenetics and Cell Death: DNA Hypermethylation in Programmed Retinal Cell Death)
Identification of the epigenetic biomarker 5hmC in retinal degeneration. Wahlin et al. 2013. (Epigenetics and Cell Death: DNA Hypermethylation in Programmed Retinal Cell Death)

Researchers at the Shiley Eye Institute are using stem cell derived human 3D ‘mini-retinas’, genetic engineering and drug screening to better understand how the human retina forms and to understand the complex biology of human retinal disease and explore potential cures. Combining the power of stem cells and genetic engineering we are developing so called ‘disease-in-a-dish” models to explore totally new ways to treat retinal disease.