Professor Andrew Lotery
Southampton RP Project Gets Grant Boost
31 August 2009
The Trustees of RP Fighting Blindness were delighted this week to announce approval of yet another RP research project. Professor Andrew Lotery at Southampton University has been awarded full funding for a three year project, a total of approximately £180,000.
The project, which will launch late in 2009, will focus on a therapy which may replace lost or damaged retinal cells.
RP is caused by a number of genetic defects all of which ultimately lead to loss of cells in the retina. Using iris tissue from patients undergoing glaucoma surgery, the researchers will try to make new cells which are similar to and behave like photoreceptors. Photoreceptors are the light sensitive cells responsible for vision, and it is the loss of these cells which leads to deterioration of vision in RP.
To produce photoreceptor-like cells from human iris, the research team will genetically modify iris cells with a small piece of DNA which it is hoped will reprogram the cells to become like photoreceptors in appearance and function. The researchers want to find out if these engineered cells can
become part of and survive in a retina which is degenerating. These cells will be attached to biodegradable plastic scaffolds which will provide them with support. The aim being to determine whether such a support structure leads to better survival and integration of these cells in the hostile environment of a degenerating retina.
David Head, Chief Executive at RP Fighting Blindness, said "I'm particularly pleased that the Board have approved this research work, as it offers hope to people with RP of all types. This is because it is not specific to any one faulty gene, but about being able to repair damage to the retina whatever type of RP has caused it."
"Professor Lotery is undertaking some important work in Southampton and we are proud to support him."
The project, which will launch late in 2009, will focus on a therapy which may replace lost or damaged retinal cells.
RP is caused by a number of genetic defects all of which ultimately lead to loss of cells in the retina. Using iris tissue from patients undergoing glaucoma surgery, the researchers will try to make new cells which are similar to and behave like photoreceptors. Photoreceptors are the light sensitive cells responsible for vision, and it is the loss of these cells which leads to deterioration of vision in RP.
To produce photoreceptor-like cells from human iris, the research team will genetically modify iris cells with a small piece of DNA which it is hoped will reprogram the cells to become like photoreceptors in appearance and function. The researchers want to find out if these engineered cells can
become part of and survive in a retina which is degenerating. These cells will be attached to biodegradable plastic scaffolds which will provide them with support. The aim being to determine whether such a support structure leads to better survival and integration of these cells in the hostile environment of a degenerating retina.
David Head, Chief Executive at RP Fighting Blindness, said "I'm particularly pleased that the Board have approved this research work, as it offers hope to people with RP of all types. This is because it is not specific to any one faulty gene, but about being able to repair damage to the retina whatever type of RP has caused it."
"Professor Lotery is undertaking some important work in Southampton and we are proud to support him."
