Lori Wallrath, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Arlene Drack, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, received a generous philanthropic donation to support continued studies of a rare vision disease caused by mutations in the gene SNRNP200 encoding a pre-mRNA splicing factor. Their prior success generating a fruit fly model that recapitulates many of aspects of the human disease offers the ability to test compounds as potential therapies. In addition, funds will be used to develop mouse models of the human disease for pre-clinical studies.