The overall goal of our research is to understand the genetic pathways that control the development and regeneration of vertebrate vision. In particular, we seek to define genes that regulate the process of ocular morphogenesis (the formation of the eye during embryonic development) and that promote the differentiation of retinal photoreceptors, the light-capturing neurons that initiate the visual signal. We are also fascinated by the natural ability of some vertebrates (such as zebrafish) to repair retinal neurons in response to injury or genetic insult. Humans lack this ability, and photoreceptor degeneration associated with ocular diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, and retinal detachment is a significant cause of visual impairment and blindness, for which there is currently no cure. Therefore, unraveling the molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor regeneration in animals such as the zebrafish may help to improve therapeutic strategies for treating human retinal degenerative diseases.

The zebrafish is a small, freshwater teleost that is easily reared in the laboratory. Zebrafish offer several advantages for genetic and developmental studies, including robust reproduction, optical transparency of the embryo, and rapid development. Relevant to our research, zebrafish (like humans) are diurnal animals, and the zebrafish retina contains a large number of cones in addition to rods, which is advantageous for studying daytime and color vision. Some of the methods we use to study the zebrafish visual system include standard molecular, biochemical and immunohistochemical techniques, as well as a variety of more sophisticated genetic and molecular methods such as transgenesis, forward and reverse genetic approaches, and the creation of genetic mosaics.

 

The Morris lab: Visual system development and regeneration

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The Morris lab
University of Kentucky
Department of Biology
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