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“Our stem cell initiative can be divided into a Basic Science Branch and a Clinical Branch,” explains Dr. Lerner.

“On the basic science side, our team members, who are world renowned leaders in stem cell research, include Drs. Peter J. Donovan and Eva Y-HP Lee. They are investigating different tissues as potential sources of multi-potent stem cells that could be used for retinal regeneration. On the clinical side, team members including Drs. Baruch Kuppermann and Leonard Sender are working to adapt a surgical approach to performing stem cell transplantation as a treatment modality for the management of AMD and other retinal degenerations.”

Dr. Lerner explains that adult stem cells are harvested and grown from the bone marrow of the patient needing treatment.

“Since the adult cells are derived from the same patient,” he says, “we have 100 percent immunological compatibility and no fear of rejection. In addition, there is no risk of viral cross-contamination from the donor tissue, which improves patient safety, and there is no risk of tumor formation as we see with some embryonic stem cell transplants .”

“The work being done at UC Irvine by both the Lerner and Klassen teams is geared towards translating scientific advances in stem cell biology into clinical therapies for age-related macular degeneration, and will ultimately be brought to bear on all retinal degenerative and age-related diseases,” says DEF Medical Director Anthony B. Nesburn, M.D. “This is an exciting time to be a part of the eye care world.”