Oculogenetic highlights include advances in therapy, technology

Iowa City, IA-Highlighting the many developments from the burgeoning field of oculogenetics, Edwin M. Stone, MD, PhD, chose to concentrate on a successful gene therapy experiment, the increasing availability of clinical trials, and new technology that enhances genetic testing.

"We're excited about that, not just because of this disease, but because of the way it seems to be leading the way toward gene replacement therapy for a lot of other diseases," said Dr. Stone, professor of ophthalmology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, and holder of the Seamans-Hauser Chair in molecular ophthalmology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. (For further information about the University of Iowa's Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, see "Clinical Centers of Excellence" of this issue.)

A third important development is advanced technology, specifically a combination of allele-specific testing and next-generation deep sequencing that is much faster and more accurate than older methods.