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 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

3 days 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

Festivals

Happy Lohri 2026 Wishes, quotes and messages to share with family and friends

Lohri 2026 will be celebrated on January 13. Here are the date, timing, significance and heartfelt wishes to share with loved ones.

Published

4 days ago

January 13, 2026

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Lohri, one of north India’s most vibrant festivals, marks the end of the winter season and the arrival of the harvest period. Known for its colourful traditions, bonfires, folk dances and seasonal delicacies, the festival brings warmth and togetherness during the cold days of January.

In 2026, Lohri will be celebrated in mid-January, continuing the tradition of welcoming prosperity, happiness and new beginnings.

When is Lohri in 2026

According to the Druk Panchang, Lohri will be observed on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

The auspicious time for Lohri Sankranti will begin at 03:13 pm on January 14, while Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Lohri holds cultural significance, especially in Punjab, Haryana and parts of north India, where families gather around bonfires, offer prayers, and celebrate with music, dance and traditional food such as jaggery, groundnuts and popcorn.

Happy Lohri 2026 Wishes, messages and quotes

Here are some heartfelt wishes and messages to share with family, friends and loved ones on Lohri:

Wishing you a Lohri filled with joy, happiness and prosperity. May this festival bring warmth and light to your life.
May the bonfire of Lohri burn away all your worries and bring you warmth, joy and success. Happy Lohri.
On this day of Lohri, may the divine festival fill your life with prosperity and growth. Happy Lohri to you and your loved ones.
As the fire of Lohri flourishes, may all your sorrows and troubles vanish with it. Happy Lohri to you and your family.
May the warmth of the Lohri bonfire fill your home with happiness and love. Happy Lohri.
Wishing you a harvest of joy and prosperity this Lohri. May your days be filled with happiness.
On this auspicious occasion of Lohri, may all your dreams come true.
Let the festival of Lohri bring you endless joy and abundance. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Lohri.
May the Lohri fire burn away sadness and bring warmth, joy and happiness into your life.
Sending you warm wishes for this festive season of Lohri. May it bring prosperity and success.
This Lohri, may the sweetness of jaggery and the warmth of groundnuts add happiness to your life.
May the festival of harvest fill your life with abundance and prosperity. Happy Lohri.

Featured

Happy Navratri 2025: Wishes, messages, quotes, greetings, images, and whatsApp greetings

Celebrate Navratri 2025 with heartfelt wishes, messages, quotes, and WhatsApp greetings. Share the joy of the nine nights of devotion to Maa Durga, spread positivity, and bless your loved ones with happiness, strength, and prosperity this festive season.

Published

4 months ago

September 22, 2025

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Navratri 2025, starting on September 22, is a nine-night festival dedicated to Maa Durga, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Across India and around the world, devotees mark the occasion with prayers, fasting, music, dance, and community gatherings. The festival emphasizes devotion, courage, and inner strength, and is a time to share blessings with loved ones through heartfelt Navratri wishes.

Unlike large-scale celebrations in India, many households and communities celebrate in more intimate settings, decorating homes with diyas, offering prayers at temples, and organizing dandiya nights and devotional gatherings. Traditional foods and vrat-friendly recipes are also an integral part of the celebration.

Here’s a collection of Happy Navratri wishes you can share with friends, family, and colleagues:

Wishes to Share During Navratri:

Wishing you a Navratri filled with devotion, joy, and prosperity.
May the nine nights bring peace to your home and happiness to your heart.
Let’s celebrate the spirit of Navratri with prayers, music, and love.
May Goddess Durga bless you with strength to face every challenge.
Wishing you health, harmony, and happiness this Navratri.
May these nine nights light up your life with positivity.
Sending warm Navratri wishes from my family to yours.
May every dance step and prayer you offer reach Maa Durga’s blessings.
Here’s to a Navratri that feels bright, peaceful, and full of grace.
May this festive season give you courage and clarity.

Happy Navratri Quotes:

May your prayers during these nine nights bring success and harmony.
Celebrate the spirit of Navratri with a heart full of gratitude.
Wishing you good health, prosperity, and endless joy this Navratri.
Let the divine energy of Durga guide your path this festive season.
May Goddess Durga empower you with strength, wisdom, and courage this Navratri and always.
Let us celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Happy Navratri to you and your loved ones.
May the colors of Navratri brighten your life with happiness, health, and prosperity.
On this auspicious occasion, may Maa Durga fulfill all your wishes and bless your home with peace.

Messages to Share on WhatsApp and Social Media:

Happy Navratri! May Maa Durga guide you toward wisdom and strength.
The nine nights remind us that patience and devotion bring results.
Celebrate Navratri with faith in your heart and kindness in your actions.
May you find joy in the small rituals and blessings in every prayer.
Wishing you courage to overcome negativity, just like Durga did.
Navratri is not only about fasting — it’s about feeding your soul with positivity.
May this Navratri open doors of success and peace for you.
Sending warm wishes across the miles this festive season.

Happy Navratri 2025 Greetings:

Remember: every night of Navratri is a chance to start fresh.
Happy Navratri 2025! Celebrate with love, and let blessings surround you.
May Maa Durga fill your home with peace and happiness this Navratri.
Wishing you nine nights of devotion, joy, and togetherness.
May the blessings of Navratri bring love and light into your life.
Happy Navratri! Let every day be a step toward positivity.
May this festive season strengthen bonds with family and friends.

Navratri 2025 Quotes and Inspiration:

“Navratri is not only a festival, it’s a reminder that good always wins.”
“Nine nights, nine forms, infinite blessings.”
“Strength is not given, it is awakened — just like the spirit of Durga.”
“Dance, devotion, and discipline — the rhythm of Navratri.”
“Every prayer during Navratri is a step closer to peace.”

This Navratri, let devotion, love, and positivity fill every home. Share these Navratri wishes, quotes, and messages to spread blessings and joy with friends and family.