Gene-based treatment strategies for Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working population of developed countries and it is an increasing problem in the developing world.

As part of the $25.1 million dollars allocated for Juvenile Diabetes (see 20th July news item), the Gene-based treatment strategies for Diabetic retinopathy project will combine several very recent scientific advances into one strategy to combat diabetic retinopathy at a molecular level.

Thus, human trials can only be conducted following extensive animal safety and efficacy trials.

To date the development of new therapies has been seriously hampered by the lack of appropriate, easy to reproduce animal models for different stages of diabetic retinopathy. This project seeks to develop such an animal model.

In addition, the project aims to identify new therapeutic agents from molecules that are naturally produced by the retina while fighting disease.

Finally, these agents will be tested and evaluated in the animal models. The most successful therapeutic candidates will then be further developed for human trials.