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Gene therapy for red–green colour blindness in adult primates

Author

Listed:
  • Katherine Mancuso

    (Box 356485, University of Washington, 1959 North East Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA)

  • William W. Hauswirth

    (University of Florida, 1600 South West Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA)

  • Qiuhong Li

    (University of Florida, 1600 South West Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA)

  • Thomas B. Connor

    (Medical College of Wisconsin, 925 North 87th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA)

  • James A. Kuchenbecker

    (Box 356485, University of Washington, 1959 North East Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA)

  • Matthew C. Mauck

    (Medical College of Wisconsin, 925 North 87th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA)

  • Jay Neitz

    (Box 356485, University of Washington, 1959 North East Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA)

  • Maureen Neitz

    (Box 356485, University of Washington, 1959 North East Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA)

Abstract

Gene therapy in colour It is often assumed that critical periods exist for the development of vision and other neural capabilities and that they end prior to adolescence. For example, it might be expected that gene therapy in adults with congenital vision disorders would be impossible. But experiments in adult spider monkeys who are normally red–green colour blind show that it is possible to add a third photopigment (human opsin) into some of their retinal cells by gene therapy. The monkeys acquire a new dimension of colour vision as a result. Not only does this suggest a possible therapy for a common congenital visual defect in humans (clinical trials are now under way), but also it demonstrates the extreme neuroplasticity of visual processing and points to possible routes by which trichromatic vision evolved.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine Mancuso & William W. Hauswirth & Qiuhong Li & Thomas B. Connor & James A. Kuchenbecker & Matthew C. Mauck & Jay Neitz & Maureen Neitz, 2009. "Gene therapy for red–green colour blindness in adult primates," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7265), pages 784-787, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:461:y:2009:i:7265:d:10.1038_nature08401
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08401
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