Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cell Lines From Skin Fibroblast Cells of Participants With Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Study Summary

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Currently, there is no safe way to obtain cells from the eye to study. But researchers now can turn other types of cells, like skin or blood, into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. These can be grown in a lab and turned into other types of cells, like cells from the eye. This will allow researchers to understand and treat diseases of the eye such as AMD. Objectives: To establish a bank of samples that can be changed into other cell types, such as eye cells, to better understand diseases such as AMD. Also to test drugs in order to treat various eye diseases. Eligibility: People who provided DNA samples in another protocol (07-EI-0025) Design: Participants will be screened with their data from the previous protocol. Participants with select genetic variants will be chosen and contacted via phone. Participants will have a punch skin biopsy. The skin will be washed. A numbing medication will be injected. A small piece of skin will be removed with a biopsy tool. The site will be covered with a dressing. They will receive instructions on how to care for the area. They will have follow-up visits if needed for clinical care for the area. Participants may be asked to return if their first sample did not provide enough cells for the lab. Participants sample will be developed into eye cells. The cells will be used to understand diseases and test new drugs.