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Stem cells can significantly slow genetically caused degeneration of retinal cells in model systems of retinitis pigmentosa.  Discovery Eye Foundation (DEF) supported researchers are working with stem cells towards harnessing and modifying them to restore vision to patients with other retinal degenerations, including age-related macular degeneration.

DEF in collaboration with The Lincy Foundation are principal supporters of the newly formed Retinal Regeneration Program at University of California, Irvine.  It is headed by Henry Klassen, M.D., Ph.D.

This is a multi-institutional and collaborative effort between Drs. Henry Klassen at UC Irvine and Michael Young at Harvard University’s Schepens Eye Research Institute.  Nine other national and international organizations are participating in this study. They are:

• The University of California, Irvine
• Harvard University
• The University of Louisville
  
• The University of Lunds (Sweden)
  
• The Eye Pathology Institute, University of Copenhagen
  
• The University of Missouri, Columbia
  
• The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  
• The University of California, San Francisco
  
• Boston University
  
• Yale University
  
• Case Western Reserve University.