The future of medicine

I study eyes so naturally any exciting news in the visual field catches my eye. Here is a great editorial providing a lay perspective on two articles published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine. In short these scientists used a virus to introduce the correct gene, RPE65 into the retinas of patients who had specific genetic mutations in RPE65 associated with Leber's congenital amaurosis, a form of retinal degeneration. The results are quite preliminary, but the implications are amazing. First, the use and administration of this viral vector is safe. This means that other genes can be introduced in the retina. Second, the treatment actually improved the visual acuity of two of the participating patients. This video demonstrates just how effective the treatment was. Click on patient #3 before injection and after injection to see the effects. The beginning shows the actual injections, so some may want to skip to the behavioral results. Absolutely amazing!

A Light Lesson

Need I say more?

A First Science Project

If you plant them they will grow. We have this cute little greenhouse that the kids love. A week after planting during General Conference weekend, the first fruits spring through the soil.



A closer inspection reveals many small plants waiting for more sun, water and lots of love. Which are amply supplied by two energetic kids and one patient father.



And to our experiment: On the right a specimen of green onion selected from the local supermarket. On the right a few green onion seeds, also planted over Conference weekend. Will the supermarket specimen grow? Will seeds several years past their expiration fair any better? Looking good so far.

Artistic creations by Harrison

He's perhaps the next Picasso with this doodle pro rendition of our family. You can try to figure out who is who.


Or perhaps the next Frank Lloyd Wright with his amazing architectural insight using peek-a-blocks and wooden blocks.



Am I a bit biased? You bet! Still pretty impressive for a three year old.

Introducing...The Lizard

Some people have cats, others maybe a dog. I have a Uromastyx, an adult yellow nigerian or saharan Uromastyx to be more specific. The scientific name is Uromastyx geyri. To be original we affectionately call him "the lizard." He has been part of our family for 3 years and made the trip out to Boston riding under the front seat of the moving truck. He loves a fresh mix of greens and basks in 130 degree heat. Like a dog we often give the lizard table scraps. Unlike a dog however, we give him the last bits of salads. Yummy!