Join us for the next RMIP Research Spotlight featuring Dr. Jeffrey Stern, a renowned retinal scientist and co-founder of the Neural Stem Cell Institute in Albany, NY.
RMIP Research Spotlight on Wednesday, September 24th at 12:00-1:00 PM CDT: Register today!
Dr. Stern's pioneering research has advanced our understanding of photoreceptor cell biology and led to the discovery of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells (RPESCs), opening new avenues for treating age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Stern’s work bridges basic science and clinical application, including the development of innovative stem cell therapies and controlled-release growth factor technologies.
Presentation Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in the aging population characterized by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy and loss of retinal function. Dr. Stern's team recently discovered a novel adult retinal pigment epithelial stem cell, the RPESC, in the human RPE layer that self-renews and produces highly pure populations of RPE progeny (RPESC-RPE). They found that subretinal transplantation of adult RPESC-derived RPE at an intermediate stage of differentiation increases vision rescue in a rat model, leading to an ongoing Phase I/IIa clinical trial to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of subretinal transplantation of human RPESC-derived cells in patients with advanced AMD. Early clinical trial outcomes show good safety and tolerability.
Mike Enger
Join us for the next RMIP Research Spotlight featuring Dr. Jeffrey Stern, a renowned retinal scientist and co-founder of the Neural Stem Cell Institute in Albany, NY.
RMIP Research Spotlight on Wednesday, September 24th at 12:00-1:00 PM CDT: Register today!
Dr. Stern's pioneering research has advanced our understanding of photoreceptor cell biology and led to the discovery of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells (RPESCs), opening new avenues for treating age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Stern’s work bridges basic science and clinical application, including the development of innovative stem cell therapies and controlled-release growth factor technologies.
Presentation Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in the aging population characterized by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy and loss of retinal function. Dr. Stern's team recently discovered a novel adult retinal pigment epithelial stem cell, the RPESC, in the human RPE layer that self-renews and produces highly pure populations of RPE progeny (RPESC-RPE). They found that subretinal transplantation of adult RPESC-derived RPE at an intermediate stage of differentiation increases vision rescue in a rat model, leading to an ongoing Phase I/IIa clinical trial to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of subretinal transplantation of human RPESC-derived cells in patients with advanced AMD. Early clinical trial outcomes show good safety and tolerability.