New Clinical Trial Treating Congenital Blindness Through Gene Therapy

Alexander Dizhoor,

PhD, Hafter Family Chair in Pharmacology and PCO/Salus professor, participated in an important research study on gene therapy and its effectiveness in treating a rare form of congenital GUCY2D blindness. The most recent part of the study was published in October in iScience, the National Library of Medicine within the National Center for Biotechnology Information and SciTechDaily.

The study, led by the late Dr. Samuel Jacobson of the University of Pennsylvania, involved researchers from an array of academic institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Salus University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Florida, and the company Atsena Therapeutics, Inc.

Dr. Dizhoor participated in the study with the assistance of his Salus University colleagues, Igor Peshenko, PhD, assistant professor, and Elena Olshevskaya, PhD, instructor.

“Salus University’s part in the project was to provide our strength: studying biochemistry and molecular biology and physiology of the retina, in particular, photoreceptors,” said Dr. Dizhoor. “Especially the GUCY2D gene, mutations in which were the cause of the disease. That is exactly what we are specializing in.”

The results of the clinical trial showed, as a result of gene therapy, blind patients gained back vision within several weeks. Although their vision was not perfect, sensitivity to dim light increased nearly 1000-fold. Dr. Dizhoor emphasized what a substantial step this is for gene therapy of the rare form of congenital blindness at birth, GUCY2D Leber’s congenital amaurosis.

“We have multiple lines of research that we are currently pursuing that will eventually, hopefully, also have some clinical implications,” said Dr. Dizhoor. “Our place in science is to provide the basic knowledge in biochemistry and molecular biology that can create a foundation for future research in gene therapy.”

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

SLP TRIP TO MANNA

Eagles Autism Foundation Grant

Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P)

The SLP department volunteered at MANNA, which provides free, healthy meals for individuals who experience chronic illness.

NSSLHA SOCK DRIVE

The Speech-Language Institute (SLI) was awarded a $15,500 grant from the Eagles Autism Foundation. The grant will support the purchase of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and will be used in the SLI during therapy sessions for client and caregiver training. In addition, the SLI will be able to lend AAC devices to clients who need them. The funding provided by this grant will support the SLI’s mission to provide access to communication for clients with ASD.

Physician Assistant (PA) Studies

PA OLYMPICS

First Patient Model

Salus’ chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) collected over 140 pairs of socks to donate to Socks for the Streets, an organization that gives new socks to the homeless and Veterans.

Salus PA students participated in the annual PA Olympics in Philadelphia. The PA Olympics offers PA programs in the greater Philadelphia area an opportunity to collectively fundraise and raise awareness for a local community-based organization. This year, Salus was one of 11 local PA programs fundraising to support the organization, The Block Gives Back.

O&P students had their first hands-on patient model interactions this past semester. They practiced measuring and fitting postoperative prosthetic interventions such as compression garments and rigid removable dressing/protectors.

Fond Farewells

Salus University thanks Lisa Lonie for her 31 years of service to the University. Lisa began working as the executive assistant to then President, Dr. Thomas Lewis (Emeritus President), in 1991 and also served Salus’ current President, Dr. Michael Mittelman.

In her years of service, Lonie wore many hats and provided support in a variety of ways as the University expanded.