New research published this week in Clinical Epigenetics, has identified two new genes linked to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Led by Dr. Louise Porter at the University of Liverpool, the team identified genes that may become new targets for treatments. 44 human donor eyes were profiled for levels of DNA methylation (a chemical change that may be influenced by sex, age, smoking and diet) and and underlying gene changes in AMD. The researchers were able to identify changes in the newly-discovered genes, SKI and GTF2H4, which have not been previously associated with AMD but are now implicated in the regulation of the disease pathways.