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The molecular basis of emmetropisation. Identification of genes that regulate post-natal eye growth rate

Reference	S11277
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Jeremy Guggenheim
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Cardiff University
Department	Optometry and Vision Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	45,177
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/07/1999
End date	01/07/2000
Duration	12 months

Abstract

Both human and animal studies have shown that during a critical period of post- natal development, the rate of vitreous chamber growth is regulated by a visual feedback mechanism. This effect, which is thought to be the major basis of emmetropisation, ensures that the length of the eye is appropriate for its optical power. Elegant studies in which innate refractive errors have been simulated, by rearing animals wearing spectacle lenses, have lead to the hypothesis that a paracrine signalling pathway running from the retina (which sense image clarity) to the sclera (the major structural tissue of the eye) underlies this emmetropisation process. A preliminary study designed to identify retinal genes involved in the detection of image defocus and emmetropisatory signal transduction was undertaken, based on the hypothesis that such genes would be differentially expressed between eyes undergoing defocus-induced elongation, and their fellow, normal eyes. This preliminary gene expression screen identified 44 differentially-expressed candidate genes (Frost et al. 1997). These candidate genes will now be re-screened using independent and highly stringent methods, to sort true positive from false-positive candidate genes. Future projects will investigate whether the differentially-expressed genes identified play a causal role in emmetropisation and whether knowledge of their identity can be used to trace the molecular course of the emmetropisation signalling pathway. Ultimately, elements of this pathway may prove to be suitable therapeutic targets for myopia prevention.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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