Grant: Operating Grant
University of Calgary
$835,962.00
Molecular mechanisms guiding the formation of a functional retinal architecture
FY 2014-15
Summary
The retina is the neural tissue at the back of the eye that contains the light-sensing neurons that allow us to see. In order for light information to be captured and processed to make a visual image, the neurons that make up the retina must be generated in their proper numbers and reach their correct destinations. Like other regions of the nervous system, the neurons in the retina have a very specific organization. We study how the neurons that make up the retina are generated in their proper numbers, and then how these neurons migrate to their proper positions in three-dimensions. Understanding these fundamental features of retinal development are essential for the future design of regenerative strategies, which aim to replace lost retinal neurons in patients who have lost their sight. We have made great strides in elucidating the molecular and cellular pathways that control retinal cell number and retinal cell positioning, and our goal is to further our understanding of these events in this proposed research project.
Department
Program
Operating Grant
Recipient
Location
Alberta, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
CIHR Funding Decisions Database
As published
Id
320769
Name
Schuurmans Carol J
Region
Alberta
Country
Canada
Orgtype
Institution Paid; Research Institution
Instname2
Genetics
Theme2
Biomedical
Prcname2
Developmental Biology
Projecttitle
Molecular mechanisms guiding the formation of a functional retinal architecture
Programtype2
Operating Grants
Orgnameinp2
University of Calgary
Cihramount2
$835,962
Cihrequipment2
$0
Programname2
Operating Grant
Keyworddelim
Amacrine Cells; Canonical Wnt Signaling; Cell Number Control; Dscam Cell Adhesion Molecule; Neuronal Migration; Pten Phosphatase; Retina; Retinal Architecture; Tgfbrii Signaling; Zac1 Tumor Suppressor Gene
Abstract
The retina is the neural tissue at the back of the eye that contains the light-sensing neurons that allow us to see. In order for light information to be captured and processed to make a visual image, the neurons that make up the retina must be generated in their proper numbers and reach their correct destinations. Like other regions of the nervous system, the neurons in the retina have a very specific organization. We study how the neurons that make up the retina are generated in their proper numbers, and then how these neurons migrate to their proper positions in three-dimensions. Understanding these fundamental features of retinal development are essential for the future design of regenerative strategies, which aim to replace lost retinal neurons in patients who have lost their sight. We have made great strides in elucidating the molecular and cellular pathways that control retinal cell number and retinal cell positioning, and our goal is to further our understanding of these events in this proposed research project.
Competitiondate
201503
Approvedterm2
5 yrs 0 mth
Pinamesdelim
Schuurmans, Carol J
Approvedterm
5 ans 0 mois
Cihrcontribution2
~ $835,962~ $0~
