Gene regulation resulting from hypoxia and hyperoxia. This project explores the expression of genes at early and late stages of hypoxia and hyperoxia in mice. Gene microarray techniques are being used to establish a library of candidate genes for further investigation. Jonathan Stone
Photoreceptor recovery following light stress
The P23H rat has been engineered to mimic the rhodopsin mutation which causes a human form of retinitis pigmentosa such that the transgene induces photoreceptor degeneration. We are testing whether the transgene affects the vulnerability of photoreceptors to ambient light and whether significant functional recovery is possible by reducing ambient light exposure. Electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and other histological methods are being used to follow the functional and morphological changes of photoreceptors. It seems that the degenerative P23H-3 retina is more susceptible to modest levels of ambient light than non-degenerative control retinae. Nevertheless, significant functional recovery occurs in the P23H-3 retina, when ambient light levels are reduced. We are testing whether this recovery can be explained by a regrowth of outer segments. The results give hope that light restriction may slow functional loss in corresponding human forms of retinal degeneration. Jonathan Stone
