Stem cells make 'retina in a dish'

A retina was made by coaxing mouse embryonic stem cells into a precise three-dimensional assembly.

To accomplish this feat, a cocktail recipe was used to push the mouse embryonic stem cells into transforming into retinal cells. By adding a protein gel, the cells were also supported. The stem cells formed blobs of retinal cells, then the blobs grew and began to form the optic vesicle. The vesicle then folded in on itself to form an optic cup. The next step in the study is to investigate whether the optic cups can sense light or transmit impulses to the mouse brain.

Synthetic retinas could provide a source of cells to treat many people with retina damage.

If the technique could take advantage of human cells, the safety of transplantation would result in an unlimited well of tissue to replace damaged retinas. The techniques used may also be applied to guide the growth of other organs and tissues.

The research in this paper could have many implications for the future of regenerative medicine. With the right physical and chemical cues, stem cells can transform into complex tissues. Understanding how to coax human stem cells to transform into a desired cell remains to be explored.

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