The award, given to researchers from the University of Maryland, was part of the NEI’s 3D Retina Organoid Challenge (3-D ROC), which is a part of a larger initiative aimed at advancing retinal organoid research, especially for the treatment of disease.The winning proposal involved printing layers of adult neural progenitor-derived retinal neurons into a retina-like structure, and was chosen for its “scalability, efficacy and reproducibility.”The process could have multiple applications, including drug testing, and its hoped it will improve treatments for macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and other similar diseases and conditions.The NEI is planning to provide a further US$1 million (AU$1.29 m) through the second phase of its 3-D ROC, which is set to launch later in 2017.
Research edges closer to an alternative for intravitreal drug delivery
A Charles Darwin University (CDU) researcher is one step closer to replacing intravitreal drug delivery for eye disease, as well...