Hunt on for cataract gene

scientists at the Centre for Genetic Disorders have claimed to locate a new gene responsible for congenital eye cataract. The centre is being run by the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab.

The researchers studied over 350 families afflicted with congenital cataract over a period of more than one year. But it was the study of the family in which successive five generations suffered with cataract which led to the discovery of this gene.

Indian and German scientists analysed dna from blood samples of the affected families by using micro satellite markers, procured from the institute of Human Genetics in Berlin. They will now try to specifically identify the gene for genetical cataract.