Project Report

Project: Development and Function of High Acuity Central Vision (EyeCenter)

Contract: PCE 54/2022

Cod Depunere: PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0333

Project Director: Tudor C. Badea

During this reporting period, we generated the parental mouse lines necessary for revealing the mouse Area Centralis, and began collecting data regarding it's position, and cell type composition. We continued our characterization of Tusc5⁺ and Brn3c+Brn3b⁺ RGCs. We also participated in a study demonstrating the role of Transcription Factor Brn3a in the development of OFF DS RGCs, and regulation of JamB and Tbr1 expression. By crossing our reporter line into the background of Tyrosinase knockout mice (Brn3c^Cre/WT; Brn3b^CKOAP/WT; Tyr^Cj/Cj), we established that, unlike the human fovea, size and position of the mouse Area Centralis is not affected by albinism. This year we surveyed the field and identified transcription factors and signaling molecules likely to influence early RGC development and Area Centralis formation. We also participated in a consortium that established a roadmap for vision replacement or restoration in people afected by blindness resulting from RGC loss. Our work resulted in four papers, and more than 10 communications at international and international meetings.

Project: Development and Function of High Acuity Central Vision (EyeCenter)

Contract: PCE 54/2022

Cod Depunere: PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0333

Project Director: Tudor C. Badea

The project studies the mechanisms of development, function and pathogeny of high visual acuity in central retina, using genetically modified mice as experimental models.

In this reporting period, we established the necessary infrastructure (finished building, established standard operating conditions for animal care, obtained accreditation), enhanced equipment and recruited the project team (one postdoctoral researcher, two PhD students, one MSc). During these first six months of the project, we discovered and characterized several populations of Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs), that contribute to high visual acuity. Specifically, we investigated and provided better characterization for "Supressed by Contrast" RGCs, Tusc5⁺ RGCs and Brn3c⁺Brn3b⁺ RGCs. In addition, we contributed to studies describing the mechanisms of early developmental retina topography, instrumental to Area Centralis formation, and studies of CNS autoimune disease affecting the optic nerve. Collectively this work resulted in 3 papers and presentations at two national and two international conferences.

Project: Development and Function of High Acuity Central Vision (EyeCenter)

Contract: PCE 54/2022

Cod Depunere: PN-III-P4-PCE-2021-0333

Project Director: Tudor C. Badea

The project uses experimental models in genetically modified mice to study the development, function and pathogenesis of high visual acuity in the central retina.

During this year, we have established the research infrastructure (experimental animal facility), acquired further necessary equipment and recruited the project team, consisting of one postdoctoral researcher and three graduate students (two Phd and one MS). In addition we discovered and characterized several Retinal Ganglion Cell populations (RGCs) that belong to the high spatial resolution group, and may contribute to high resolution central vision. Amongst these we studied transient suppressed by contrast cells (tSBCs), RGCs expressing Tusc5, and Brn3c⁺Brn3b⁺ RGCs. Members of the group also helped describe new mechanisms for setting up early retinal topographic layout, which implicitly affects the topography of central retina. Furthermore, we contributed to studies on the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases that also target the visual system, especially the optic nerve. These results were published in three peer reviewed papers (IF between 4 and 8) and presented at two international and two national conferences.