Difference between revisions of "Team:UMaryland/Practices"
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<p style="font-size:18px;text-align:justify;">We met with a researcher who studies the causes of AMD, Dr. Noriko Esumi. She currently studies retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and how it relates to AMD. After giving her an explanation of what iGEM is and why we were choosing to study lutein production, she told us that, while her experience with lutein itself was limited, she was well informed about retinal health and some of the causes of macular degeneration. | <p style="font-size:18px;text-align:justify;">We met with a researcher who studies the causes of AMD, Dr. Noriko Esumi. She currently studies retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and how it relates to AMD. After giving her an explanation of what iGEM is and why we were choosing to study lutein production, she told us that, while her experience with lutein itself was limited, she was well informed about retinal health and some of the causes of macular degeneration. | ||
− | From our conversation, we learned that age-related macular degeneration can be attributed to a few factors: smoking, immune responses based on bacterial infections, genetics, and, as its name suggests, aging. | + | From our conversation, we learned that age-related macular degeneration can be attributed to a few factors: smoking, immune responses based on bacterial infections, genetics, and, as its name suggests, aging. She also supported the notion that lutein is an effective vitamin supplement to help maintain and improve ocular health. |
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/c/c6/Eyeplace1.png" style="height:45%; width:45%;float:left;margin:5px;"> | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/c/c6/Eyeplace1.png" style="height:45%; width:45%;float:left;margin:5px;"> | ||
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/6/64/Eyeplace2.png" style="height:45%; width:45%;float:center;margin:5px;"> | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/6/64/Eyeplace2.png" style="height:45%; width:45%;float:center;margin:5px;"> | ||
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<h3 style="font-size:24px;text-align:justify;"> Columbia, Maryland </h3> | <h3 style="font-size:24px;text-align:justify;"> Columbia, Maryland </h3> | ||
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Our next interview was with Dr. Nosheen Ahmed. While Dr. Esumi had more experience with the tissue cells that cause AMD when dysfunctional, Dr. Ahmed had more experience with the disease itself, its symptoms, its common treatments, how it affects the lives of patients, etc. | Our next interview was with Dr. Nosheen Ahmed. While Dr. Esumi had more experience with the tissue cells that cause AMD when dysfunctional, Dr. Ahmed had more experience with the disease itself, its symptoms, its common treatments, how it affects the lives of patients, etc. | ||
− | From the interview with Dr. Ahmed, we learned | + | From the interview with Dr. Ahmed, we learned that a good prevention method for those at risk for AMD is a change in lifestyle habits. For example, quitting smoking, minimizing computer use, and improving one's diet all could benefit eye health. Optometrists recommend a lot of leafy greens and dark vegetables, which contain a variety of carotenoids, including lutein. |
− | + | Dr. Ahmed stated that not many studies has been done with lutein but there is a consensus it has a positive effect on AMD. | |
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She also discussed that many patients will not recognize AMD as it develops. As the vision decreases or spotting occurs, they think they may only need glasses. More research is needed for the disease and potential treatments as well as vitamins like lutein which can help. | She also discussed that many patients will not recognize AMD as it develops. As the vision decreases or spotting occurs, they think they may only need glasses. More research is needed for the disease and potential treatments as well as vitamins like lutein which can help. | ||
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− | *Put pictures | + | *Put pictures here* |
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Revision as of 16:47, 17 September 2015