11/09/2015
Scientists Move Closer To Finding Cure For Hereditary Blindness
Scientists at the Ulster University are moving closer to finding the world's first cure for hereditary blindness.
The scientists have discovered a treatment that can repair damage caused by cloudy deposits in the cornea. The cornea is the outer clear part of the eye that allows light to pass through to the back of the eye and the condition, called corneal dystrophy, worsens with age, eventually leading to blindness.
Using a DNA editing technology called CRISPR, Ulster University's vision science experts have designed a method of targeting the specific DNA or gene in the eye that is responsible for the cloudy deposits. The highly advanced treatment has been developed by treating mice with the same eye disease and the University team is now progressing towards human trials.
The treatment involves injecting a medicine into the front of the eye which precisely targets the disease-causing gene and switches it off but which doesn't harm other healthy tissue. It reverses the damage caused by the eye disease and restores clear vision in the patient.
Ulster University's Professor Moore said: "Corneal disease patients frequently refer to the frustration and anger caused by the condition which not only robs them of their sight, but potentially their children and grandchildren too.The only generic treatment currently available to those blinded by the disease is corneal transplantation using a donor organ eye and this comes with risks and variable success rates."
(CD)
The scientists have discovered a treatment that can repair damage caused by cloudy deposits in the cornea. The cornea is the outer clear part of the eye that allows light to pass through to the back of the eye and the condition, called corneal dystrophy, worsens with age, eventually leading to blindness.
Using a DNA editing technology called CRISPR, Ulster University's vision science experts have designed a method of targeting the specific DNA or gene in the eye that is responsible for the cloudy deposits. The highly advanced treatment has been developed by treating mice with the same eye disease and the University team is now progressing towards human trials.
The treatment involves injecting a medicine into the front of the eye which precisely targets the disease-causing gene and switches it off but which doesn't harm other healthy tissue. It reverses the damage caused by the eye disease and restores clear vision in the patient.
Ulster University's Professor Moore said: "Corneal disease patients frequently refer to the frustration and anger caused by the condition which not only robs them of their sight, but potentially their children and grandchildren too.The only generic treatment currently available to those blinded by the disease is corneal transplantation using a donor organ eye and this comes with risks and variable success rates."
(CD)
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26 September 2019
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27 August 2004
Commissioning work begins at water treatment facility
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28 June 2002
Water and sewerage infrastructure receives £100m
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Water and sewerage infrastructure receives £100m
Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson has outlined plans to invest almost £100 million on upgrading the province's water and sewerage infrastructure. The Minister was speaking on Friday, June 28, at the opening of the new Derg Water Treatment Works near Castlederg, which was constructed at a cost of £10.3 million.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
