Protein from algae used to treat blind mice.

Journal Nature reported about a breaking research in algae derived proteins which could be one day used to treat certain forms of blindness. The light-sensitive protein, called **channelrhodopsin-2** (**ChR2**), is used by algae to sense light for photosynthesis. Some researchers are interested in using these light-sensitive proteins to replace damaged or missing photoreceptors in animals' eyes. This happens in several human conditions, including the late stages of a relatively common form of blindness: **age-related macular degeneration**. At present, there are no cures for such patients, though treatments including gene therapy and laser surgery are being tested. #img_962#.> *Bright lights make treated 'blind' mice leap into action. Credit: Punchstock* The **algae protein** has been used by neuroscientists before in the lab, in order to make 'light switches' that turn neurons of interest on and off in lab animals. But its use as a therapy against blindness is in very early stages. If the technique can be perfected, it could allow people rendered totally blind by the loss of photoreceptors able to see — albeit in black and white. Source: "http://www.nature.com":[ http://www.nature.com/news/2008/080425/full/news.2008.781.html]

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