Identification of cell surface proteins involved in vertebrate cone photoreceptor patterning

Cone photoreceptors are specialized cells in the retinas of vertebrates that absorb light to permit daylight vision. Two major morphological types exist: single cones, which are circular in cross section, and double cones, which consist of two apposed cones with elliptical cross section. In many vertebrates, cones are organized into repeating, lattice-like mosaics. The two main types are the hexagonal lattice (as in the human fovea), in which every single cone is surrounded by six others, and the square lattice (as occurs in many fishes and lizards) where each single cone is surrounded by four double cones. Cone mosaics mediate all aspects of daylight vision including colour discrimination and spatial acuity, yet the cellular mechanisms underlying their formation remain unknown. This research will use the zebrafish to investigate genes coding for cell adhesion proteins that may underlie the formation of multi-cone structures and cone mosaic patterning. The identification of such cell adhesion proteins is essential to understand (and devise therapies against) major retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. This research will benefit the collaborating laboratories at both institutions as they share research interests in cone photoreceptor structure and function and in understanding mechanisms of retinal development and homeostasis.

Faculty Supervisor:

Inigo Novales Flamarique

Student:

Partner:

Washington University in St. Louis

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Life Sciences (not health); Education

University:

University of Victoria

Program: