Through stem cell research, two Madison men who suffer from a genetic condition that causes blindness and hearing loss are receiving experimental treatment.

Johnny and Mike Walsh, sons of University of Wisconsin Regent David Walsh who suffer from Usher disease are receiving experimental treatmentfrom David Gamm, a UW professor and expert in retinal and stem biology.

Johnny has had hearing problems from birth and is now legally blind. However, he maintains a positive attitude due to the experimental treatment he is receiving in Madison and does not let his disability get in the way of his career as an attorney at Axley Brynelson LLP.

It is interesting that here I am in Madison getting a diagnosis and then having such a great research institution there in my backyard and its convenient for them to have my family there because you got four kids, three who carry the genes, two who are affected and one who isnt. So you have a perfect control right there, I think thats kind of neat for Dr. [David] Gamm to have and he takes our blood whenever he needs it, Walsh said.

Mike started a project entitled Flight4Sight, where he travels the world to spread awareness and understanding about blindness. His project is on Facebook and a blog, where he takes his followers advice on where to travel next.

Mike said he benefits from the research Gamm, of the Waisman Center,does.

Gammis working closely with Cellular Dynamics International, a Madison-based company which has recently received a $1.2 million grant to continue their research on human stem cells.

CDI specializes in creating human cells, including various types of stem cells. With the National Eye Institutes funding, CDI will carry out this stem cell-based research in the first study of its kind to be performed in the United States.

Eye conditions that include dry age-related macular degeneration affect as many as 11 million Americans who have some form of macular degeneration, according to the CDI statementregarding the grant. The cells being used for this study are CDI developed and manufactured through induced pluripotent stem cells, which will potentially have application in discovering treatments for retinal and eye conditions.

The goal of the study will be to find out how to reprogram stem cells in order to make retina cells to prevent further damage in decaying eyes and eye conditions, Gamm said.

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UW professor using stem cell research to find treatment for eye conditions