The overall goal of the proposed work is to identify and understand the functions and interactions of genes essential for vertebrate retinal development and maintenance. Zebrafish will be utilized as the animal model as it presents a unique combination of characteristics amiable to experimentation; in particular, as a representative species for vertebrate mutagenesis. The young mutation, which lacks lamination and morphological differentiation in the retina, will be characterized for the expression of molecules that mark stages of differentiation in order to test the hypothesis that lamination is necessary for establishing microenvironments within the retina that are critical for proper cell type specification. Additional lamination, as well as other ocular morphogenetic mutations will be screened for, isolated, and characterized. Double mutational analysis with young will be performed to test for genetic or epigenetic interactions and to establish hierarchical relationships between essential genes for retinal lamination and specification. These studies will forward our understanding of normal retinal development and establish candidate genes or functions for those already linked with pathogenesis in human ocular diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32EY006898-03
Application #
6164656
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Program Officer
Hunter, Chyren
Project Start
2000-03-01
Project End
Budget Start
2000-03-01
Budget End
2001-02-28
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$37,516
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071723621
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02138