Making Neurons
Adding the gene neurogenin (ngn2) to certain non-neural cells in the retina can spur the growth of new neural retinal cells, according to UAB research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Retinal neurons form during embryonic development, and if damaged, do not have the capacity to regenerate, which can cause blindness, says Shu-Zhen Wang, Ph.D., UAB assistant professor of ophthalmology. The addition of the ngn2 gene to non-neural, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells prompted those cells to develop into the pre-cursors of neural retina cells. "Eye diseases such as macular degeneration can be caused by damage to photoreceptor or ganglion cells in the retina. Our findings in animal models suggest it may be possible to replace damaged cells by creating new ones from RPE cells."
Contact Bob Shepard, Media Relations, 205-934-8934 or [email protected].
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