Saturday 2 February 2008

Year of the Rat

Scientists in Cleveland have created an animal AMD model for the first time - using mice. In other words, the mice now have AMD. This makes it easier for researchers to test out new and better treatments - using mice instead of human beings.

As Stephen Rose, Foundation Fighting Blindness' chief research officer, said: "This is the first time that scientists have been able to create an AMD animal model that closely represents the disease in people. Though there are some treatments for the wet form of AMD, we still don't have a cure for the condition, and millions of people are still at risk of losing their vision to both the dry and wet forms. This new model will greatly enhance the development of better treatments and potentially a cure."

It is indeed the Year of the Rat! Happy Lunar New Year.

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