通過利用藻類中首次發現的感光蛋白，一名完全失明男子的部分視力得到了恢復。

The man from Brittany in France was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa 40 years ago. Doctors used a pioneering technique called optogenetics to try to restore his vision.

40年前，這名來自法國布列塔尼的男子被診斷患有視網膜色素變性。醫生們用了一種名為光遺傳學的開創性技術來試圖恢復他的視力。

It’s based on the proteins that microscopic algae use to swim towards the light and requires a special pair of goggles to convert natural light into the right wavelength for the proteins.

該技術基于利用幫助微藻游向光的蛋白質，病人需要戴上一副特殊的護目鏡以將自然光轉換成適合這種蛋白質的波長。

The patient knew the method was working when he could see the stripes of a pedestrian crossing. He does not have perfect sight, but the difference between none and limited vision is still life-changing.

當這位病人可以看到人行橫道上的斑馬線時，就知道這個方法是有效的。雖然他的視力并沒有恢復到正常水平，但從完全失明變成有部分視力仍然能夠改變人生。

詞匯表

diagnosed 被診斷
pioneering 開創性的
optogenetics 光遺傳學
proteins 蛋白質
algae 水藻，藻類
goggles 護目鏡
pedestrian crossing 人行橫道
life-changing 能改變人生的

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. What was the name of the technique used to try to restore the man’s vision?

2. What needs to be worn to convert natural light into the right wavelength for the proteins?

3. True or false? The patient knew the technique hadn’t worked when he saw the stripes on a pedestrian crossing.

4. How good is the man’s sight now?

答案  

1. What was the name of the technique used to try to restore the man’s vision?
Doctors used a pioneering technique called optogenetics to try to restore his vision.

2. What needs to be worn to convert natural light into the right wavelength for the proteins?
The technique requires wearing a special pair of goggles to convert natural light into the right wavelength for the proteins.

3. True or false? The patient knew the technique hadn’t worked when he saw the stripes on a pedestrian crossing.
False. The patient knew the method was working when he could see the stripes of a pedestrian crossing.

4. How good is the man’s sight now?
He does not have perfect sight, but the difference between none and limited vision is still life-changing.