Breaking New Ground
The Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM) was founded in 2009 to effectively turn scientific discoveries into clinical diagnostic tools and therapies for patients suffering from blinding diseases.
The SCTM is primarily focused on developing treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision impairment among adults age 55 and over. AMD affects more than 20 million individuals in the United States, and its prevalence is projected to double by 2050. AMD causes a gradual loss of vision that results in significantly reduced quality of life and often depression. Progression to the late stage of AMD often leads to irreversible vision loss.
With the support of committed donors, SCTM Executive Director Gregory S. Hageman, PhD, and his team have turned a series of groundbreaking discoveries into scientifically sound strategies to prevent the onset of all forms of AMD or to slow their progression.

News from the SCTM
New Federal Funding for AMD Research
Internationally renowned researchers Monika Fleckenstein and Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg are forging new ground in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) research.
Patient Testing Begins for AMD Therapy Developed at Moran
Patient testing is underway for a new therapy for age-related macular degeneration developed by the Moran Eye Center’s Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM).
SCTM Shares its Research with the World
Moran’s SCTM team broke new ground in 2021 to turn genetic discoveries into new AMD treatment strategies.
New Research on Genetics and AMD Progression
SCTM research links patient genetics to rates of AMD progression and vision loss.
Research Focuses on AMD Genetic Protections
New research hones in on AMD genetic protection to advance new treatment approaches.
New Potential Therapy for AMD Identified
HtrA1 augmentation is potential therapy for Chromosome 10-driven age-related macular degeneration.
Reading Identified as Key Measure of AMD Visual Decline
Beyond the Eye Chart: Scientists identify reading ability and speed as crucial measures of AMD visual decline.