Dieter Egli Contributes to Study that Provides Evidence of iPS Cell Transplantation Efficacy for Vision Regeneration
Dieter Egli, a NYSCF Senior Research Fellow, contributed to a study published in Molecular Medicine that provides direct evidence of sight-loss recovery using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell transplantation. In collaboration with Stephen Tsang, PhD, from Columbia University, Egli provided human retinal pigmented epithelium cells, derived from iPS cells. These cells were then grafted into mice genetically engineered to suffer from retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that causes vision impairment and blindness. Tests to measure visual function revealed improved sight in these mice. This autologous iPS cell graft could lead to clinical applications in human patients diagnosed with macular or retinal degeneration.