Foresight Funded Research
Research | Foresight Funded Research | Gene Therapy
Gene Therapy and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP25)
Professor Shomi Bhattacharya, Head of Molecular Genetics
Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London
3 year duration - April 2001 to April 2010
Over the past twelve years UCL Institute of Ophthalmology has been at the forefront of investigating the basic principles of gene transfer to the eye with a broad programme of work to develop gene therapy for eye diseases affecting the retina, including inherited retinal degenerations. This has included recent successful human clinical trials of RPE65 in patients with Leber's Congential Amaurosis (LCA).
Foresight is co-funding, with the British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society, a three year project into the identification of a major gene (RP25) on chromosome 6q for Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa.
We believe this form of Retinitis Pigmentosa is the most prevalent in the U.A.E.
Gene Therapy and and LCA (RPE65)
Professor Robin Ali, Professor of Human Molecular Genetics
Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London
Moorfields Eye Hospital Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology
3 year duration - September 2007 to September 2010
The ground-breaking human clinical trials that proved that gene therapy was possible in the retina and actually showed an improvement in vision, were part funded by Foresight (read more link to the article under what’s new in research) and we have committed to a further 3 years contribution so that this amazing work can be continued.
These trials were done with people whose sight-loss is caused by a rare gene that usually causes small children to go blind (Leber's Congenital Amaurosis). There are many families affected by this condition here in the Emirates and hereditary eye disease is the biggest cause of blindness in children in the U.A.E.
Gene Therapy and Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (PRPF31)
Professor Shomi Bhattacharya, Head of Molecular Genetics
Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London
3 year duration, October 2008 to October 2011
The objectives of this research are to further characterise PRPF31 gene mutations and to fully understand the molecular pathology of disease. This will also aid the formulation and testing of potential future gene-based therapies.