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
    • Press Release
  • 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 *

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

  • Say Hello to the Smartest Way to Sound — Ooka Audio Launches TWINS 707 Bluetooth Ceiling Speakers
  • Lotus Derma Botanics Enters the Skincare Arena
  • Smart Geek Visas Turns Immigration Dreams into Global Success Stories
  • INSD Vasai: A Bold New Chapter for Design Education in Palghar District
  • Kingston Powers Tomorrow: Enabling the Future of AI with High-Performance Solutions at COMPUTEX 2025

Ace Entrepreneur actor artificial intelligence author Bangalore Bengaluru Blockchain technology business Content Creator COVID-19 Cryptocurrency Delhi digital marketing Dr. Sandeep Marwah Dubai education entrepreneur Fairplay Gujarat Gurugram health Hyderabad IIT Delhi Indian Institute of Technology influencer Influencerquipo Kingston Technology K Raheja Corp Homes Lotus Herbals memory products and technology solutions Mumbai Music Industry Nidarshana Gowani Noida photography producer Pune real estate Sakra World Hospital Shan Se Entertainment Shantanu Bhamare Social Activist Social media Surat TTK Prestige

Copyright © 2025 The Medium News.

Powered by PressBook Blog WordPress theme