Skip to content
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • DMCA
  • Privacy Policy
  • Follow on Google News
The Medium News

The Medium News

  • Home
  • India
    • National
    • Regional News
  • Business
  • Education
  • LifeStyle
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food
    • Health & Fitness
    • Travel
  • Tech
    • Apps News
    • Gadgets
  • Automobiles
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • astrology
    • Environment
    • Finance/Money
    • Religion
    • Science
    • Social Work
    • Wow Personality
  • Toggle search form

A treatment for ‘Retinitis Pigmentosa’ could be in the offing

Posted on November 19, 2020 By The Medium News No Comments on A treatment for ‘Retinitis Pigmentosa’ could be in the offing

New Delhi (India Science Wire): In a significant development in the area of ophthalmology, a team of New Delhi-based researchers has come out with a finding that shows the possibility for a cure for the progressively irreversible retinal degenerative disease which causes partial or complete blindness. 

Presently, there is no cure for the disease. Current modules of treatment offer only symptomatic relief. Some recent studies across the world have shown that cell therapy could be of help. However, it is difficult to find an accessible and abundant source of stem cells using minimally invasive techniques for this purpose. Besides, there is a lot of safety and ethical issues surrounding the use of stem cells. 

Scientists have been toying with the alternative idea of using monocytes, which are a type of leukocyte, or white blood cell. Recent studies have shown that they could be converted into stem cell-like cells without needing to go through genetic modification.  A major plus point with monocytes, if the strategy is found effective, will be that they constitute as much as five to eight percent of blood and they are, thus, available in relatively larger quantities. 

In their new study, researchers, who hailed from the Department of Biotechnology’s New Delhi-based National Institute of Immunology (DBT-NII) and  Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, assessed the potential of monocytes obtained from peripheral blood and have found that they do fit the bill. 

They first modified the monocytes into stem cell like cells by culturing in a unique media and then exposed them to biochemicals involved in the natural process of retinal differentiation, leading to a state that mimicked retinal neuron-like cells. These were studied for molecular, phenotypic, and functional properties followed by transplantation in a mouse model previously developed in their lab to test their integration within the body. They then checked if these induced cells could gain retinal neuron-like function upon transplantation in an eye with a degenerated retina. The study team has published a report on their work in the journal `Stem Cell Research and Therapy’.

Speaking to India Science Wire, the scientists noted that it was a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate that reconditioned monocytes can be induced to acquire retinal neuron-like properties through differentiation using a defined growth media and that it can be a potential candidate for cell therapy-based interventions and disease modelling for ocular diseases and cautioned against over-enthusiasm. 

“We have crossed an important milestone. But, these retinal neuron-like cells survive only for a few weeks upon transplantation. We have to develop ways so that they survive sufficiently long”, they said.

Science

Post navigation

Previous Post: Tribals celebrate Diwali along with Endress+Hauser India
Next Post: Tenth edition of National Science Film Festival kicks off

More Related Articles

Young Scientist R. Vishnu Prassad from Chennai conferred Times Award Science
Study establishes relevance of traditional knowledge for agricultural sustainability Study establishes relevance of traditional knowledge for agricultural sustainability Science
Scientists develop device to grow microorganisms in outer space Scientists develop device to grow microorganisms in outer space Science
Film festival highlighting role of scientists in Indian independence movement concludes Film festival highlighting role of scientists in Indian independence movement concludes Science
Patent for KVIC technology to recycle plastic waste Patent for KVIC technology to recycle plastic waste Science
Celebrating Indian scientists’ contributions to independence movement Celebrating Indian scientists’ contributions to the independence movement Science

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

  • Greenfuel Electronics has launched the first-ever compact, lightweight and easy-to-use Tyre Inflator & Puncture Repair Kit
  • M Venkaiah Naidu Blessed Students of Asian Education Group
  • Child Help Foundation Organized Activities and Campaigns for the Upliftment of women on International Women’s Day
  • Partho Dasgupta talks about the growing popularity of social media influencers as a news source
  • Sakif Shamim Person of the Year

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Apps News
  • astrology
  • Automobiles
  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Finance/Money
  • Food
  • Gadgets
  • Health & Fitness
  • LifeStyle
  • National
  • Photography
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • Regional News
  • Religion
  • Science
  • Social Work
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • World
  • Wow Personality

Recent Posts

  • Founder of Jade Homes Arnab Ghosh made home construction easy and in your control
  • Studywoo launch “One stop solution for students’ education needs”
  • Elante Group Launches USD 5 mn premium housing project in Gurugram
  • Greenfuel Electronics has launched the first-ever compact, lightweight and easy-to-use Tyre Inflator & Puncture Repair Kit
  • M Venkaiah Naidu Blessed Students of Asian Education Group

Ace Entrepreneur actor artificial intelligence author Bangalore Bengaluru Blockchain technology blogger business Content Creator COVID-19 Cryptocurrency Delhi digital marketing Dr. Jitendra Matlani DST Dubai education entrepreneur Gujarat health Hyderabad IIT Delhi Indian Institute of Science Indian Institute of Technology influencer Influencerquipo K Raheja Corp Homes model Mumbai music Music Industry NFT NGO photography real estate Research Singer Social Activist Social media social media marketing sports Surat technology TTK Prestige

Copyright © 2023 The Medium News.

Powered by PressBook Blog WordPress theme