New Genes Associated with the Leading Cause of Blindness

New genes identified A new study, published in Clinical Epigenetics, identifies genes associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) that could represent new targets for future drug development. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the UK and affects more than 200 million of people worldwide. The condition results in a gradual loss of central vision, due to the failure of cells in the macula – the light sensitive membrane at the centre of the retina. Dr Louise Porter, said: “Our main aim for conducting this research was to help tackle an area of unmet clinical need. This work has identified new genes, providing us with novel targets for investigation in a disease in desperate need for therapies.” This research was funded by Fight for Sight, National Eye Research Charity and the Academy of Medical Sciences Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers. Dr Louise Porter is a clinical lecturer funded by NIHR. The full paper, entitled ‘Whole-genome methylation profiling of the retinal pigment epithelium of individuals with age-related macular degeneration reveals differential methylation of the SKI, GTF2H4, and TNXB genes’, can be found attached. https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/news/new-genes-associated-with-the-leading-cause-of-blindness-314333?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=69224782&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8AiBRdxtEyM9moOxIIH7QWyj9EVZhR83_Z4UXPX7uORFQsz8Z_3WUX187O-hxG29tCtuM3tKU-s8Tak4z3888qDUBb8Q&_hsmi=69224782