The Japanese researchers used ‘blank’ embryonic stem cells, which can turn into any cell in the body, as their starting material.
本实验的日本研究者利用的是“空白”胚胎干细胞，这种细胞有能力转化为体内任何类型的细胞。
They then added a cocktail of proteins and chemicals to coax the cells into developing into parts of an eye.
以此干细胞为基础，再添加蛋白与化学药剂加以诱导，使之发育成眼球的多个部件。
Although the resulting retina did not mature, it was roughly at the stage found in a baby before it is born, reported the journal Nature.
根据这篇Nature论文，虽然所产生的视网膜并不成熟，但已相当于胎儿出生前的那个阶段。
The experiments, from the RIKEN Centre for Developmental Biology in Kobe, were carried out in mice. Scientists have yet to show that the cells actually work.
Despite this, British eye expert Robin Ali, a professor at University College London, said: ‘It is a really, really major landmark. To see that beautiful structure in a dish as if it had just been taken from an animal is absolutely astounding.’
He believes tests on people could take place in as little as five years.
他相信，在五年内就可能进行人类临床实验。
In just ten to 20 years, synthetic retina cells could be used to restore sight to the blind, he added.
他进一步补充说：在１０到２０年内，人工合成的视网膜细胞将可以应用于临床，使盲人的视力恢复。
The eyes have it: An early stage retina floats in a test tube in a picture released by the RIKEN Centre in Kobe, Japan; right, two optic cups can be seen, which form as the stem cells grow into an embryonic eye
The retina, which lines the back of the eye, picks up light and sends it through the optic nerve to the brain for conversion into images. In age-related macular degeneration, which affects more than 600,000 Britons, the deterioration of its light-sensitive cells – or photoreceptors – creates a blackspot in the vision. This can make it impossible to carry out everyday tasks such as reading, driving and watching television.
In future, it might be possible to begin with nothing more than a sliver of skin from a patient’s arm.
These cells would be developed into a retina that would perfectly match the person. Its light-sensitive cells could be injected into the back of the eye to repair damage and restore vision.
Oxford University eye surgeon Robert MacLaren said: ‘The thought that we may be able to generate the cells in large numbers from patients’ own skin is very exciting.’
Dr Dolores Conroy, of the Fight for Sight charity, said the research ‘could have important implications’ for sufferers of age-related macular degeneration.
改善视力慈善团体（the Fight for Sight charity ）Dolores Conroy博士说本研究对年龄相关性黄斑退化患者具有重要意义。
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