Objectif Blindness represents an increasing global problem with social and economic impacts both for the patients and society in general. Recent estimates indicate that the overall number of people with visual loss is 285 million globally, of whom 39 million are blind. In Europe, approximately 1 in 30 individuals experience sight loss and 75% of those are unemployed, a social burden which is anticipated to double by 2020 as the population of Europe ages. Diseases affecting the retina, the light sensitive extension of the central nervous system lining the back of the eye, account for approximately 26% of blindness. To date, there are no treatments to restore lost retinal cells and visual function and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. A pioneering breakthrough has highlighted the possibility of generating synthetic retinae from stem cells under laboratory conditions. This research is in its infancy and needs to be developed so human synthetic retinae can be produced efficiently and reproducibly from patient-specific stem cells. Very recently, my group has developed a unique method that results in conversion of human embryonic stem cells to fully laminated retinae containing all retinal cell types under laboratory conditions. In this project we aim: (1) to develop a robust differentiation method for generation of synthetic retinae that can be applied efficiently to a large number of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells; (2) to investigate that laboratory derived synthetic retinae contain functional retinal cells which are equivalent to native cells arising during human development and can contribute to restoration of vision upon transplantation into degenerate retinae and (3) to develop preclinical tools that will enable us to select functional retinal cells for cell replacement therapies in humans. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverymedical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinetransplantation Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Thème(s) ERC-CG-2013-LS7 - ERC Consolidator Grant - Diagnostic Tools, Therapies and Public Health Appel à propositions ERC-2013-CoG Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement ERC-CG - ERC Consolidator Grants Institution d’accueil UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Contribution de l’UE € 1 599 857,00 Adresse KINGS GATE NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Région North East (England) Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Tyneside Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Chercheur principal Majlinda Lako (Prof.) Contact administratif Donna Armstrong (Mrs.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée Bénéficiaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Royaume-Uni Contribution de l’UE € 1 599 857,00 Adresse KINGS GATE NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne Voir sur la carte Région North East (England) Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Tyneside Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Chercheur principal Majlinda Lako (Prof.) Contact administratif Donna Armstrong (Mrs.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée
