WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — Wake Forest University announced on Tuesday it is joining an exciting project that seeks to make vision-restoring whole eye transplants a reality.
The award of up to $56 million is from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts program. The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine has been approved for an initial contacting commitment of $5.2 million over the course of 4 years.
“Achieving vision restoration through whole eye transplantation is an unparalleled opportunity to transform lives. This ARPA-H program brings together unmatched expertise, innovative technologies, and a shared determination to overcome challenges once deemed insurmountable,” said WFIRM professor Dr. Vijay Gorantla.
The project will bring together over 40 scientists, doctors and experts from across the nation together for the common goal of making sight restoration possible through an eye transplant.
“This project represents the potential of regenerative medicine to solve complex medical challenges,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, Director of WFIRM. “Through collaboration and innovation, this work will advance technologies that could restore vision and fundamentally improve lives.”
