See Blind Mice

Over 160 million people worldwide are visually impaired according to the World Health Organisation. New treatments could soon be available following pioneering transplant research in mice. Cells extracted from young healthy mice were injected into night-blind mice restoring their ability to see in the dark. Immature rod-photoreceptor cells, essential for sight in poorly lit conditions, were transferred into the retina of affected mice. The behaviour of treated and non-treated mice in a dimly lit maze was compared to normal mice. This video demonstrates the results: treated and normal mice were able to find the platform allowing them to exit the water after a short time. Non-treated night-blind mice could only find the platform after a lengthy search. The findings hold promise for eye treatment and scientists will now explore the potential for humans, although they have a few more complications to overcome.

Written by Josh Morris

Josh Morris

Student

During a week of work experience at the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre in the Public Engagement, Media & Grants Facility, Josh helped with image research, and wrote a summary about an experiment on treatments for visual impairment.

• National Transplant Week, 9-15 July 2012
• R.A. Pearson & R. R. Ali
• University College London
• Reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd; Copyright 2012 | Nature 485, 99-103