Discovery in monkeys could lead to treatment for blindness causing syndrome

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October 25, 2019

Gene Therapy Genetics Rare Diseases Regenerative Medicine Retinitis Pigmentosa

Basic Research

Grantee

Audacious Goals Initiative

This rhesus macaque is one of three discovered by researchers at OHSU to have the gene mutation. The monkeys could help researchers develop and evaluate potential gene and cell therapies to treat the condition, for which there currently is no cure. (OHSU/Lauren Renner)

Researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at Oregon Health Sciences University have identified monkeys with a genetic mutation that leads to a rare, but devastating blindness-causing syndrome called Bardet-Biedl Syndrome. The finding offers a promising way to develop gene and cell therapies that could treat the condition in people.