A research team at Bond University is testing a therapy for blindness in pigs, aiming to find a cure for age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa in humans.
Dr Jason Limnios leads the Stem Cell Research Group at the Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CJCRM) at Bond and has developed core stem cell technologies for therapies.
He will give an update on his work at a free public lecture on Wednesday, October 16 as part of the university’s Research Week.
“Over the past decade we’ve developed fast and efficient ways to create the cells needed to save and restore vision in patients,” Dr Limnios said.
“This translates to lower costs of production and will ultimately make therapies more accessible to patients.”
But Dr Limnios cautions there is a long road between lab breakthroughs and approved therapies for humans.
“Stem cell therapies are an emerging technology that I’m convinced will become reality,” he said.
“Part of that is showing the cells are safe and work in animals before we can proceed to human clinical trials.”
The CJCRM is planning studies in small and large animals to show that the treatment is effective, without side effects.
“We’re working with facilities in Queensland to set up the animal studies where we will transplant new retinal cells into the back of the eyes of blind animals.
“The pig eye is very similar to the human eye and will allow our surgical team to perfect the transplantation process.
“We should know how well the cells work about 18 months after we begin.”
The CJCRM has fostered a network of national and international partners to help make stem cell therapies a reality in Australia through collaboration and commercialisation.
This includes universities and industry partners who are bidding for the creation of a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
“Bidding for a CRC is much like bidding for the Olympics,” Dr Limnios said.
“We’re very excited to have reached the final round of the CRC bid process which closes at the end of October.
“A green light from the Federal Government will signal commitment to the development of cutting-edge technologies here in Australia, instead of having to go offshore as is too often the case.
“This CRC will show that Australia is committed to becoming a serious player on the world stage.
“This will ultimately translate to better health outcomes for Australians.”