Robert Simon Johnson
Encyclopedia
Robert Johnson is the first person in the world to undergo gene therapy
treatment on the eye
, in early 2007. Born with an inherited retinal dystrophy Robert was operated on by a team at world renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital
in London
, led by Mr James Bainbridge, as part of a gene therapy clinical trial
headed by Professor Robin Ali of University College London
's Institute of Ophthalmology.
Although results are unlikely to be published for some time, the medical team hope that the insertion of a correct copy of the RPE65
gene will allow patients to recover, or in the very least, retain a degree of sight.
Gene therapy
Gene therapy is the insertion, alteration, or removal of genes within an individual's cells and biological tissues to treat disease. It is a technique for correcting defective genes that are responsible for disease development...
treatment on the eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
, in early 2007. Born with an inherited retinal dystrophy Robert was operated on by a team at world renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS eye hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is the oldest and largest eye hospital in the world and is internationally renowned for its comprehensive clinical and research activities...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, led by Mr James Bainbridge, as part of a gene therapy clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
headed by Professor Robin Ali of University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
's Institute of Ophthalmology.
Although results are unlikely to be published for some time, the medical team hope that the insertion of a correct copy of the RPE65
RPE65
Retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RPE65 gene.-Function:The retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein is located in the retinal pigment epithelium and is involved in the conversion of all-trans retinol to 11-cis retinal during...
gene will allow patients to recover, or in the very least, retain a degree of sight.