A cure is now possible using stem cells....

[kokonut]

Amazing. And how biotechnology has quickly evolved to the point that even babies born with this sensory loss condition could see it reversed using stem cells.

Dezii said he was impressed that the university was seeking to develop both gene and stem cell therapies for patients when most laboratories focus on one or the other. He said the university's multidisciplinary approach, involving everyone from biologists to surgeons to engineers, was also groundbreaking.

Wynn, who has hotels and casinos that bear his name around the world, joked that, "Having your name on a sign is a cool thing." He later made clear that it was the university's idea to have the institute bear his name as a way to bring positive attention and motivate other donors.

At the same, he said he could see himself coming one day to have his photoreceptor cells replaced to restore his vision.

"They've got my cells in the mice!" he said. "There's 100 mice here that had my retinal cells and they are running around."

More here on the story.

 

[Bottesini]

As a person with a disease involving the retinas, I find that pretty interesting.

It's also interesting that it's given to the University of Iowa which is close to me.

I gather they have only gotten as far as mice so far. Wynn is pretty old, but I hope he gets to benefit from the restored vision after giving such a generous gift.

 

[kokonut]

As a person with a disease involving the retinas, I find that pretty interesting.

It's also interesting that it's given to the University of Iowa which is close to me.

I gather they have only gotten as far as mice so far. Wynn is pretty old, but I hope he gets to benefit from the restored vision after giving such a generous gift.

If he believes it'll happen within his lifetime and he's willing to plunk down $25 million dollars then that's probably a very encouraging sign for the rest of the younger people with vision loss issues. Even young children or babies(?) born with certain vision impairment could easily be corrected someday soon. Very good news, indeed.