Long-time collaborators Botond Roska and José-Alain Sahel win the Wolf Prize 2024 in the field of medicine
July 05 2024 - 3:00AM
Long-time collaborators Botond Roska and José-Alain Sahel win the
Wolf Prize 2024 in the field of medicine
Botond Roska and José-Alain Sahel have been awarded
the Wolf Prize in Medicine for their pioneering work on
restoring vision to blind patients using optogenetic therapy.
The Wolf Prize, considered one of the most prestigious
international awards, recognizes outstanding achievements in
various fields including medicine.
Roska, Director at the Institute of Molecular and Clinical
Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) and Professor at the University of Basel,
and Sahel, Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine and Chair of IOB's Scientific Advisory Board,
have collaborated since 2001. Their work focuses on optogenetic
vision restoration, a technique that creates light-sensitive cells
using genes derived from algae, to treat degenerative retinal
diseases.
In 2021, they reported groundbreaking results from an
early-stage clinical trial with blind retinitis pigmentosa
patients. One patient who completed the full study protocol was
able to detect and move objects placed before him within months of
treatment. This work, which was done in collaboration with
researchers from the Institut de la Vision in Paris, marked the
first proof-of-concept for optogenetics in human
disease. Despite initial scepticism, Roska and Sahel
persevered, recognizing the potential of optogenetics for treating
retinal diseases due to its mutation-independent approach and the
accessibility of the eye's optical system.
The collaboration between Roska, a basic scientist with an MD,
and Sahel, an accomplished clinician and expert in translational
research, has proven highly complementary. Their work represents a
significant milestone in treating blinding conditions affecting
millions worldwide, with promising results emerging from ongoing
clinical trials. The Wolf Prize in Medicine acknowledges their
exceptional contributions to the field of ophthalmology.
About IOB
At the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel
(IOB), basic researchers and clinicians work hand in hand to
advance the understanding of vision and its diseases, and to
develop new therapies for vision loss. IOB started its operations
in 2018. The institute is constituted as a foundation, granting
academic freedom to its scientists. Founding partners are the
University Hospital Basel, the University of Basel and Novartis.
The Canton of Basel-Stadt has granted the institute substantial
financial support.
- Jose-Alain Sahel and Botond Roska