The retina deciphered

 

American researchers have published the most thorough description to date of gene expression in the human retina. And it comes with a few surprises.

 

The investigators at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School used a technique called RNA sequencing to demonstrate that the majority of the 20,000 genes in the human body are expressed in the retina. This was no real surprise to the scientific community, because the retina is a complex tissue with 60 types of cells.

 

The investigators were quite excited, however, to discover nearly 30,000 new exons and more than 100 potential new genes. Exons are the portions of the genome that are used to encode proteins or other genetic elements. Several thousand of the newly discovered exons appear to be used specifically in the retina.

 

These discoveries will help researchers to better understand how the retina works as well as how it is affected by various diseases, such as inherited degenerations, which result from genetic mutations or errors. While more than 200 genes related to retinal degenerative disease have been identified, scientists have yet to find the cause of disease for up to half of the patients with such disorders. The newly identified exons in the retina may change all that.

Sources:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130718130458.htm  

 

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/14/486/abstract 

Featured Posts

Anatomy of Eyewear: The Earth’s Bounty, an Exploration of Sustainable Eyewear

The majority of frames available in your average dispensary will be made from one of two materials, metal or a form of plastic. Eyewear is not limited to only these choices!  

Learn More

Jennifer Jones Joins FBC as New President And CEO

Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) announces the appointment of Jennifer Jones as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 23, 2023.

Read more

Bash, the Shinning Elegance

Devoted to offering products that enhance the feeling of well-being, Ba&sh offers a sunwear collection which indulges femininity and elegance.

Read more

IRIS, The Visual Group, and DIAGNOS Launch IRIS-ai

IRIS-ai, an artificial intelligence-powered tool for ocular disease screening, has officially been implemented in 20 stores across Quebec.

Read more

Cyclists Ride Through the GTA to Bring Hope to Canadians Living with Blindness

On Saturday, June 3rd, hundreds of cyclists will be gearing up and riding together in Alliston, ON for Fighting Blindness Canada’s 15th Annual Cycle for Sight fundraising event.

Read more

Anatomy of Eyewear: The Earth’s Bounty, an Exploration of Sustainable Eyewear

The majority of frames available in your average dispensary will be made from one of two materials, metal or a form of plastic. Eyewear is not limited to only these choices!  

Learn More

Jennifer Jones Joins FBC as New President And CEO

Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) announces the appointment of Jennifer Jones as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 23, 2023.

Read More

Bash, the Shinning Elegance

Devoted to offering products that enhance the feeling of well-being, Ba&sh offers a sunwear collection which indulges femininity and elegance.

Read More

IRIS, The Visual Group, and DIAGNOS Launch IRIS-ai

IRIS-ai, an artificial intelligence-powered tool for ocular disease screening, has officially been implemented in 20 stores across Quebec.

Read More

Cyclists Ride Through the GTA to Bring Hope to Canadians Living with Blindness

On Saturday, June 3rd, hundreds of cyclists will be gearing up and riding together in Alliston, ON for Fighting Blindness Canada’s 15th Annual Cycle for Sight fundraising event.

Read More

Anatomy of Eyewear: The Earth’s Bounty, an Exploration of Sustainable Eyewear

The majority of frames available in your average dispensary will be made from one of two materials, metal or a form of plastic. Eyewear is not limited to only these choices!  

Learn More

Jennifer Jones Joins FBC as New President And CEO

Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) announces the appointment of Jennifer Jones as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 23, 2023.

Read more

Bash, the Shinning Elegance

Devoted to offering products that enhance the feeling of well-being, Ba&sh offers a sunwear collection which indulges femininity and elegance.

Read more

IRIS, The Visual Group, and DIAGNOS Launch IRIS-ai

IRIS-ai, an artificial intelligence-powered tool for ocular disease screening, has officially been implemented in 20 stores across Quebec.

Read more

Cyclists Ride Through the GTA to Bring Hope to Canadians Living with Blindness

On Saturday, June 3rd, hundreds of cyclists will be gearing up and riding together in Alliston, ON for Fighting Blindness Canada’s 15th Annual Cycle for Sight fundraising event.

Read more

Anatomy of Eyewear: The Earth’s Bounty, an Exploration of Sustainable Eyewear

The majority of frames available in your average dispensary will be made from one of two materials, metal or a form of plastic. Eyewear is not limited to only these choices!  

Learn More

Jennifer Jones Joins FBC as New President And CEO

Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) announces the appointment of Jennifer Jones as the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 23, 2023.

Read more

Bash, the Shinning Elegance

Devoted to offering products that enhance the feeling of well-being, Ba&sh offers a sunwear collection which indulges femininity and elegance.

Read more

IRIS, The Visual Group, and DIAGNOS Launch IRIS-ai

IRIS-ai, an artificial intelligence-powered tool for ocular disease screening, has officially been implemented in 20 stores across Quebec.

Read more

Cyclists Ride Through the GTA to Bring Hope to Canadians Living with Blindness

On Saturday, June 3rd, hundreds of cyclists will be gearing up and riding together in Alliston, ON for Fighting Blindness Canada’s 15th Annual Cycle for Sight fundraising event.

Read more