Lifestyle

World’s first gene therapy to stop most common cause of blindness

Published

7 years ago

February 20, 2019

World’s first gene therapy to stop most common cause of blindness

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Oxford researchers claim to have carried out the world’s first gene therapy operation to halt age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of untreatable blindness in the developed world.

Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula. It affects the central part of a patient’s vision with gaps or ‘smudges’, making everyday activities like reading and recognising faces difficult.

If successful, the treatment could have a beneficial impact of patients’ quality of life and their ability to remain independent.

“A genetic treatment administered early on to preserve the vision in patients who would otherwise lose their sight would be a tremendous breakthrough and certainly something I hope to see in the near future,” said Robert MacLaren, Professor at the University of Oxford in the UK.

The first person to undergo the procedure was Janet Osborne of Oxford, said MacLaren, who carried out the procedure at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the UK.

Like many people with AMD, Osborne has the condition in both eyes, but it is more advanced in her left eye. As is typical with this condition, the central vision in her left eye has deteriorated and is very hazy, although her peripheral vision is better.

The 80-year-old said that her restricted vision makes household tasks like preparing vegetables and sewing difficult, and she cannot read for very long. She finds it hard to recognise faces.

Osborne said her motivation for taking part in the trial was the possibility of helping others with AMD.

“I wasn’t thinking of me. I was thinking of other people. For me, I hope my sight doesn’t get any worse. That would be fantastic. It means I wouldn’t be such a nuisance to my family,” she said.

The operation involves detaching the retina and injecting a solution containing a virus underneath.

The virus contains a modified DNA sequence, which infects cells, called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and corrects a genetic defect that causes AMD.

Ideally if successful, gene therapy would only need to be performed once, as the effects are thought to be long-lasting.

A key factor in AMD is the complement system, a system of proteins in our immune system that fights bacteria.

In macular degeneration, these proteins are over-active and start to attack the retinal cells, in a similar way to how they would attack bacteria.

“We are harnessing the power of the virus, a naturally occurring organism, to deliver the DNA into the patient’s cells,” MacLaren said.

“When the virus opens up inside the retinal cell it releases the DNA of the gene we have cloned, and the cell starts making a protein that we think can modify the disease, correcting the imbalance of the inflammation caused by the complement system,” he said.

“The idea of this gene therapy is to ‘deactivate’ the complement system, but at a very specific point at the back of the eye, so the patient would otherwise be unaffected by it, and we hope that in future it will slow down the progression of macular degeneration,” said McLaren.

“We have a better understanding now on the relationship between the complement system and the AMD disease which lead us to the discovery that restoring the balance of a hyperactive complement system could be a potential therapeutic approach in dry AMD,” said Peter Lachman, the scientist from the University of Cambridge.

The aim of the therapy is to halt the progress of the condition and preserve what vision patients have remaining.

If successful, it is hoped that gene therapy can be used in the future on patients with early AMD and so halt the disease before their vision has started to deteriorate.

(Inputs from media reports)

Know more about lifestyle updates and health related tips.

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Related Topics:Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)Blindness Oxford Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)

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Festivals

Happy Holi 2026 wishes and messages to share with your loved ones

Holi 2026 begins with Holika Dahan and vibrant celebrations across India. Here are the best wishes, messages and quotes to share with loved ones.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 3, 2026

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As the festival of colours sweeps across India, Holi 2026 is being celebrated with vibrant enthusiasm, bringing together families, friends and communities in a spirit of joy and togetherness. The celebrations began with Holika Dahan on March 2 in several parts of the country, while some cities observed or are set to observe the ritual on March 3.

Holika Dahan marks the symbolic triumph of good over evil. The following day, people take part in Rangwali Holi, smearing each other with colours, dancing to festive music and sharing sweets. In some regions, the colour-filled celebrations continue into Wednesday, adding to the festive mood.

On this occasion, here are some heartfelt wishes, messages, quotes and social media status ideas you can send to your loved ones.

Happy Holi 2026 wishes

May the colours of Holi brighten your life and fill your days with happiness, success and prosperity. Happy Holi 2026!
Let’s splash colours in the air and celebrate the beautiful bond we share. Wishing you a bright and cheerful Holi!
A very Happy Holi to those who add colours to every day of my life.
Celebrate Holi with enthusiasm, positivity and lots of colours. Wishing you a vibrant and joyful Holi 2026!
Wishing you a Holi as bright and beautiful as your spirit.
Just as colours bring happiness, may Holi bring everyone closer together. Happy Holi 2026!

Happy Holi 2026 messages

May the colours of Holi illuminate your path and bless you with happiness and prosperity.
May your life be as colourful and vibrant as the hues of Holi. Happy Holi 2026!
Wishing my squad a Holi that’s as lively and colourful as our adventures together. Happy Holi 2026!
Holi teaches us to set aside differences and celebrate unity with colours and joy. Happy Holi!
Sending you warm wishes for a Holi filled with love and divine blessings. Happy Holi 2026!
Let’s drench each other in colours of fun, laughter and lifelong memories. Happy Holi 2026!

Happy Holi 2026 quotes

“Holi is the perfect time to celebrate the colours of our beautiful relationship. Happy Holi!”
“May your life become a vibrant canvas this Holi—each splash of colour a reminder of love, hope and dreams.”
“May the whispers of Holi fill your day with tender memories and radiant joy. Happy Holi 2026!”
“Let’s throw colours in the air and renew our bonds with warmth and affection. Happy Holi 2026!”
“On this festival of colours, may your world be filled with joyful moments and bright memories.”
“Let go of negativity and embrace positivity. Celebrate this Holi with vibrant colours. Happy Holi!”

Happy Holi 2026 Facebook and WhatsApp status

Holi is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of life’s happiest moments. Wishing you a colourful Holi 2026!
Holi stands for love, care, happiness and endless fun. Let’s celebrate with all our hearts. Happy Holi!
A Holi picture is worth a thousand laughs. Have a fantastic Holi 2026!
Life becomes brighter when you add colour to it. Spread joy this Holi 2026!
Holi reminds us that good always triumphs over evil. May positivity and success fill your life. Happy Holi 2026!

May every splash of colour bring laughter, love and unforgettable memories. Happy Holi 2026 to you and your family!

Lifestyle

Valentine’s Day 2026: Wishes, messages and quotes to share with your loved one

Valentine’s Day 2026 is here. Here are heartfelt wishes, romantic messages and timeless quotes to share with your loved one on February 14.

Published

1 month ago

February 14, 2026

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Valentine's Day 2026: wishes, messages and quotes to share with your loved one

Valentine’s Day 2026 is here, bringing with it a celebration of love, affection and meaningful connections. Observed every year on February 14, the day offers couples an opportunity to express their emotions and strengthen their bond.

The week leading up to the day, popularly known as Valentine’s Week, is marked by the exchange of roses, chocolates, teddy bears and small tokens of affection. For many, these gestures are simple yet heartfelt ways to convey feelings that often go unspoken.

While some people plan elaborate surprises, candlelight dinners or thoughtful gifts, others prefer quiet moments spent together. Whether grand or intimate, the essence of the day lies in celebrating companionship and emotional closeness.

Valentine’s Day is also seen as a time to refresh relationships, revisit shared memories and reaffirm promises of togetherness. From handwritten notes to meaningful conversations, even small gestures can leave a lasting impact.

Valentine’s Day wishes and greetings

My love for you cannot be measured. It is as vast as the sky and as endless as the universe.
I never liked Valentine’s Day until I met you. You showed me what it truly means.
On this Valentine’s Day, I promise to stand by you forever so you never face any obstacle alone. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Let us love each other unconditionally, truly, madly and deeply.
Happy Valentine’s Day to the person who taught me the real meaning of love.
I love you wholeheartedly, and you matter to me the most.
Warm wishes on Valentine’s Day to everyone. Love is the most beautiful thing in the world.
My favourite place is your heart, where I want to build my home forever.

Valentine’s Day quotes

“Everything is clearer when you’re in love.” — John Lennon
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” — Robert A. Heinlein
“I never want to stop making memories with you.” — Pierre Jeanty
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” — David Viscott
“Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence.” — Vincent van Gogh

Valentine’s Day remains a reminder that love, in its many forms, deserves to be expressed and celebrated — not just on February 14, but every day of the year.

Festivals

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 wishes shared as festival of faith, positivity and new beginnings

Makar Sankranti 2026 marks a new beginning as devotees observe holy rituals and exchange heartfelt wishes across India.

Published

2 months ago

January 14, 2026

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Makar Sankranti is being celebrated across India with great enthusiasm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, marking one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar. Observed as the day when the Sun begins its northward journey, the festival symbolises new beginnings, positive energy and prosperity.

The day holds deep religious importance. Devotees across the country take a holy dip in sacred rivers and perform charity and donations, practices believed to bring spiritual merit and peace. Sun worship is also an integral part of the festival, with many offering prayers at sunrise, seeking happiness, good health and success.

Beyond its spiritual meaning, Makar Sankranti is also known for its vibrant cultural celebrations. From rooftops filled with colourful kites to homes preparing traditional sweets made of jaggery and sesame, the festival brings together families and communities in celebration.

Festival of harvest, harmony and hope

Makar Sankranti is widely regarded as a harvest festival, especially in agrarian regions, marking the arrival of fresh crops and renewed hope. The exchange of sweets made from sesame seeds and jaggery reflects the message of sweetness in relationships and warmth in communication.

As part of the celebrations, people are sharing thoughtful wishes and messages with friends, family and loved ones, expressing hopes for happiness, success and togetherness in the year ahead. Many messages highlight themes such as strong bonds, rising ambitions and uncut kites of success, drawing inspiration from the festival’s symbols.

A celebration that unites tradition and joy

With blue skies dotted with flying kites and households resonating with festive prayers, Makar Sankranti continues to stand as a reminder of tradition, gratitude and renewal. The festival encourages people to let go of negativity and move forward with optimism, making it one of the most cherished occasions of the year.

As celebrations unfold nationwide, exchanging warm wishes remains a simple yet meaningful way to make the festival special, reinforcing bonds and spreading joy.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 Wishes in English

1.
The sweetness of jaggery, the aroma of sesame,
Colorful kites in the sky and love in every heart.
Wishing you and your family a joyful
and wonderful Makar Sankranti!

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

2.
If sesame is us and jaggery is you,
If sweets are us and sweetness is you,
As the first festival of the year begins,
May Makar Sankranti bring happiness to you.

Warm wishes on Makar Sankranti

3.
Kites filling the sky,
Sweetness of jaggery all around,
May happiness find a permanent place
in your life this Makar Sankranti.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

4.
With sesame laddoos and peanuts in abundance,
Wishing you a joyful and blessed
festival of Makar Sankranti.

5.
Blue skies, colorful kites,
and joy in every direction.
Celebrate Makar Sankranti
with your loved ones.

Heartfelt Makar Sankranti wishes

6.
May your kite never be cut,
May your string always stay strong.
May happiness surround your home,
and success follow you all year long.
May Makar Sankranti bring prosperity
and joy into your life.

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026

7.
Temple bells, sacred prayers,
The golden glow of the rising sun by the river.
May happiness bloom in your life,
Wishing you a blessed Makar Sankranti.

8.
The first harvest of the year
and the first happiness too.
Wishing you a joyful
Makar Sankranti.

9.
May the kite of your success
always soar high in the sky.
Happy Makar Sankranti!

10.
May your flight be high and your string be strong,
May happiness echo around you all along.
May your success rise so high,
That no one can ever bring it down.

Warm wishes on Makar Sankranti