Open Access News

News from the open access movement


Tuesday, June 05, 2007

OA research project to restore sight to the blind

Two universities, a hospital, and an anonymous donor have launched an OA research project to restore sight to those blinded by Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).  Details in today's announcement from University College London:

A groundbreaking surgical therapy capable of stabilising and restoring vision in the vast majority of patients who currently suffer blindness through Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is to be taken to clinical trial by scientists and clinicians at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital and the University of Sheffield. The therapy, using cells derived from human embryonic stem cells to replace the faulty retinal cells that cause AMD, will be developed by the London Project to Cure AMD, a collaborative project launched today bringing together some of the leading specialists in the field....

Thanks to a £4 million donation from a US private donor, the London Project will now be able to assemble the necessary spectrum of scientists and clinicians, led by the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, to accelerate the technique’s move from laboratory to clinic. The Project is open access and will be made completely available to scientists, clinicians and all those with an interest worldwide....

Professor Pete Coffey, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and director on the London Project, said: “The London Project...aims to engage scientists, clinicians and the public to ensure success through actively attracting and promoting the inclusion of other laboratories, hospitals and institutions by an open access policy and by informing the public of progress.” ...