According to a study published in Nature, scientists have detailed their findings to restore photoreceptor cells in donor eyes and have also restored their ability to communicate.
In previous trials, they were able to revive the photoreceptors, but the tests had also shown that the cells had lost their ability to communicate with other cells in the retina as they were deprived of oxygen.
To overcome such difficulties, the researchers had to secure the organ donor eyes in under 20 minutes from time of death. Special equipment had also been designed to help restore oxygen and nutrients but to also measure the electrical activity of its cells.
Such advance in research can help scientists develop a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases including blinding retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. T
he study, if successful in future operations, can also lower the dependence on animal models that don’t always generate results that apply to humans.