Reprogramming skin cells may hold key to future of retinal transplants

A new technique has been developed by researchers to directly reprogram skin cells into light-sensing rod photoreceptors. This revolutionary technique would remove the need for stem cells. 

Researchers implanted the lab-made rods into the eyes of blind mice and the mice were then able to detect light. The research was conducted by the National Eye Institute and published April 15 in Nature.

This new cell reprogramming technique is much faster than stem cell reprogramming protocols. Scientists are able to reprogram the skin cells in only 10 days while the stem cells can take 6 months before they are able to be transplanted.

Additional research is needed to increase the number of functional transplanted photoreceptors. If this therapy becomes viable, it can greatly reduce the time it takes to develop potential cell therapy product and will hopefully allow researchers to use the technique for other cell types besides the retina.