About the Center: Clinical trial success in a few gene therapy trials for inherited disorders, including one form of early onset retinal degeneration, has led to validation of the adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) platform. While AAV has several desirable properties and has proven safe and efficacious in these studies, several limitations of the vector system prevent its broad clinical application. It is exactly these limitations that are the focus of our studies which require a convergence of virology, structural and molecular biology, engineering, clinical medicine and immunology.
Specifically, we are interested in improving gene delivery of large genes, in working toward therapeutic gene editing approaches, to expand the cellular targets and safety of current vectors, and to develop simple molecular circuitry that allows exogenous induction and regulation of transgene expression for human gene therapy. A second effort by members of the Vandenberghe lab is to build translational gene therapy programs for vision disorders targeting both inherited and complex disorders and both anterior and posterior segment. Currently, our laboratory is moving forward with optogenetic therapies for retinal blinding disorders, as well as several programs in gene augmentation for single gene defects.
Achievements:
PAST AND CURRENT FUNDING
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Associates
- National Institutes of Health, Director’s Office
- National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute
- Foundation Fighting Blindness
- Research To Prevent Blindness
- Curing Kids Fund
- Foundation For Retina Research
- Grousbeck Family Foundation
- Henwood Gene Therapy Research Fund
- Ush2A Consortium
- The Butler Foundation
- Jonathan Kutchins
- Lonza Houston
- Selecta Biosciences
Address: 20 Staniford Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617)-573-6990
Web Site: https://oculargenomics.meei.harvard.edu
