Year 1

We are conducting a research study to find out more about the inheritance of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and diabetes without retinopathy. To identify mechanisms of disease and targets for treatment, it would be helpful to study authentic retinal cells in the laboratory derived from diseased subjects as well as matched controls. This has recently become feasible due to advances in reprogramming cells into stem cells and then growing (differentiating) them into the neuronal cells. These derived cells from the biorepository will be made available for researchers to use in disease modeling, target discovery and drug discovery and development for prevalent, genetically complex eye diseases.