A team led by researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against blindness. They have created molecular compounds, named prosthe6, capable of mimicking the function of retinal photoreceptor cells, which are damaged by conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or retinitis pigmentosa (RP). These diseases affect approximately 200 million people worldwide. The research could initiate human clinical trials within four years.
Experiments conducted on mice blinded by retinal degeneration have demonstrated the effectiveness of the treatment based on photopharmacology, which uses light-activated drugs. According to Rosalba Sortino, a biotechnologist and co-author of the study, the treated mice regained their ability to perceive light and returned to their normal behavior, preferring to stay in dark areas. Furthermore, visual acuity has been restored in blind zebrafish larvae, which can now detect moving patterns.
The treatment involves the application of an eye drop, a minimally invasive and cost-effective method for healthcare systems. The molecular compounds act on ON bipolar neurons, key retinal cells that receive signals from photoreceptors. By restoring the signal flow at the beginning of the neural circuit, vision is recovered despite the loss of photoreceptors.
This research, spanning 12 years, has involved collaboration with institutions such as the Universitat d’Alcalá (UAH), IQAC-CSIC, the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), IRYCIS, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), and the Fundació Eduard Soler. The results are considered "disruptive" and highly promising for the future treatment of blindness.
