Navigation Links
'Dark cells' of living retina imaged for the first time
Date:2/25/2009

A layer of "dark cells" in the retina that is responsible for maintaining the health of the light-sensing cells in our eyes has been imaged in a living retina for the first time.

The ability to see this nearly invisible layer could help doctors identify the onset of many diseases of the eye long before a patient notices symptoms. The findings are reported today's issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

"Our goal is to figure out why macular degeneration, one of the most prevalent eye diseases, actually happens," says David Williams, director of the Center for Visual Science and professor in the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester. "Macular degeneration affects one in 10 people over the age of 65, and as the average age of the U.S. population continues to increase, it is only going to get more and more common. We know these dark retinal cells are compromised by macular degeneration, and now that we can image them in the living eye, we might be able to detect the disease at a much earlier stage."

In 1997, Williams' team was the first to image individual photoreceptor cells in the living eye, using a technique called adaptive optics, which was borrowed from astronomers trying to get clearer images of stars. To image the dark cells behind the photoreceptors, however, Williams employed adaptive optics with a new method to make the dark cells glow brightly enough to be detected.

The cells, called retinal pigment epithelial, or RPE cells, are nearly black, and form a layer that recharges the photoreceptor cells of the eye after they are exposed to light, Williams explains. The photoreceptors contain molecules called photopigments. When light strikes these molecules, they absorb the light and change shape, sending a signal to the brain indicating they've "seen" light.

Once a photopigment molecule absorbs light, says Williams, it needs to get recharged, so it is shuttled out of the photoreceptor and do
'/>"/>

Contact: Jonathan Sherwood
jonathan.sherwood@rochester.edu
585-273-4726
University of Rochester
Source:Eurekalert  

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related medicine news :

1. Make Lashes Longer, Thicker, and Darker with Latisse™
2. Ski Resorts Celebrate National Safety Awareness Week While Keeping Patrons in the Dark About Safety Plans
3. Yugma Appoints Vas Bhandarkar as Chief Executive Officer
4. Escape cancer, but age sooner? The dark side of the tumor suppressing process
5. Dr. Lisa Zdinak Announces, CO2TouchTM Brazilian Carboxytherapy - New Technology for Non-Surgical Treatment of Stretch Marks, Cellulite and Dark Undereye Circles
6. New research reveals ultraviolet light therapy is as beneficial for darker skin as lighter skin
7. Bounty Poll Reveals British Mums in the Dark Over Bisphenol-A in Baby Bottles
8. Enzyme Beneficial to Alzheimers Plays Darker Role in Other Dementia
9. Toxic Stock Syndrome Report: Many Companies Are Keeping Shareholders in the Dark on Potential Recalls, Bans, and Other Risks
10. When a Mind Begins to Disappear: A Young Familys Journey to the Dark Side
11. Highmark, Prominent Part of Pittsburgh City Skyline, to Go Dark for One Hour to Support the Environment
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
'Dark cells' of living retina imaged for the first time
(Date:5/18/2013)... Park City, Utah (PRWEB) May 18, 2013 ... new information on insurance agents’ role in ... flexible alternatives to traditional employer sponsored health benefits, ... defined contribution and health reimbursement arrangements ... Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... “World Healthcare IT Market: Trends & Forecast (2010 – ... and opportunities in North America, Europe, Asia, & Rest ... 89 market data tables , 20 ... , http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/healthcare-information-technology-market-136.html , Early buyers will ... IT market is expected to grow from $99.6 billion ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... (PRWEB) May 18, 2013 As ... courts throughout the country, Bernstein Liebhard LLP notes that ... patients often suffer tissue damage before they experience any ... according to Science Daily will appear in the Journal ... recipients underwent MRI screens of their hips. The ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... The “Sleep Apnea Diagnostic & Therapeutic Devices Market ... (ASV), Oral Appliances, Nasal EPAP, Neurostimulation] Global End-user Analysis, ... the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in North ... Browse , 147 market data ... 318 pagesand in-depth TOC of “Sleep ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... The Ayurvedic practitioner program will be offered in ... Program is available in Mexico via Live Internet or ... practiced for over 5,000 years. In Ayurvedic medicine ( ... when an individual lives in harmony with their environment, ... aims to heal an individual in all levels (physically, ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on Insurance Agents’ Role in Marketplaces 2Health News:Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on Insurance Agents’ Role in Marketplaces 3Health News:Zane Benefits Publishes New Information on Insurance Agents’ Role in Marketplaces 4Health News:Healthcare IT Market to reach US$ 162.2 Billion by 2015 at a CAGR of 10.2% - New Report by MarketandMarkets 2Health News:Healthcare IT Market to reach US$ 162.2 Billion by 2015 at a CAGR of 10.2% - New Report by MarketandMarkets 3Health News:Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Comments on New Study Finding that Tissue Damage Precedes Pain in Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Patients 2Health News:Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Comments on New Study Finding that Tissue Damage Precedes Pain in Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Patients 3Health News:Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Comments on New Study Finding that Tissue Damage Precedes Pain in Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Patients 4Health News:Sleep Apnea Devices Market to reach $19.72 Billion by 2017 - New Report by MarketandMarkets 2Health News:Sleep Apnea Devices Market to reach $19.72 Billion by 2017 - New Report by MarketandMarkets 3Health News:Ayurveda Training in Mexico Offered by Escuela de Ayurveda de California, a Leading Institution in the West 2
... , PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 24 Congressman Chaka Fattah ... of comprehensive healthcare reform legislation: , "Senate Democrats deserve ... We have work to do, but I am confident that ... differences. Early in the new year we will be sending ...
... WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 Today,s passage of health care reform in ... one day be a promise we will make to every person ... for you. You will be able to afford coverage and insurance ... Jeff Blum said other steps will include final passage after conference ...
... , AARP Idaho Says Now Is the Time for ... Idaho, Dec. 24 Before the sun was up ... health care costs received a glimmer of hope from Washington, D.C. ... AARP says the Idaho congressional delegation can play a key role ...
... THURSDAY, Dec. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Acetaminophen -- best ... physical pain, but a new study suggests that the ... of rejection. , Researchers assigned 62 healthy college undergraduate ... 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen daily, while the others took ...
... Dec. 24 "The Senate,s historic vote today helps move ... transformational national long-term services and supports insurance program (CLASS) to ... The Senate bill also includes means by which every American, ... problems. It will stimulate innovation in future models of ...
... , NEW YORK, Dec. 24 ... the Children,s Health Fund , a ... disadvantaged and medically underserved children, today released the following statement on ... Harry Reid: , "First and foremost, we applaud the Senate ...
Cached Medicine News:Health News:A Promise to Keep. Senate Vote is the First Step Toward the Promise of Quality, Affordable Health Care for All 2Health News:Health Care Reform Moves One Step Closer to Bringing Relief to Idaho Families 2Health News:Tylenol May Ease Headaches and Heartaches 2Health News:Tylenol May Ease Headaches and Heartaches 3Health News:Children & Health Reform: Where We Stand 2Health News:Children & Health Reform: Where We Stand 3
(Date:5/17/2013)... DIEGO , May 17, 2013  Sorrento ... that its Fast-Track Advanced Technology Small Business Technology ... Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a ... supporting the development of novel human antibody therapeutics ... aureus or Staph) infections, including methicillin-resistant ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... Ill. , May 17, 2013  Sony Biotechnology ... Sony SP6800 Spectral Analyzer (SP6800).  Sony will be exhibiting ... which will be held at the San ... Diego, California , from May 20 - 22.  ... second analytical system, incorporating commercial audio-visual technologies into new ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The escalation of ... is placing renewed emphasis on alternate delivery technologies. ... a number of factors are converging to create ... and their delivery device partners . These include ... the growing trend toward self-administration for chronic diseases, ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. announces its approach to developing human antibody therapeutics against MRSA receives continued support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 2Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. announces its approach to developing human antibody therapeutics against MRSA receives continued support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 3Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. announces its approach to developing human antibody therapeutics against MRSA receives continued support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 4Sony Biotechnology Inc.'s New Technology for Science Provides Researchers Results in Color 2Pharmaceutical Makers and Delivery Device Partners Rethink Delivery Technologies - New Report Examines this Evolving Segment 2Pharmaceutical Makers and Delivery Device Partners Rethink Delivery Technologies - New Report Examines this Evolving Segment 3
... microbiology testing reveals that one in every six wood pallets that transport food ... of pathogens that spread easily and endanger the nation,s food supply and the ... , Either E. ... in people with lowered immune systems, were found on one in every six ...
... N.J. , June 16 Armed with a clear ... miles away, more than 900 local Roche employees are participating today ... to raise funds to support children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS ... volunteer for the 5K Walk, which takes them through the township ...
Cached Medicine Technology:Consumers at Risk: One in Six Wood Pallets in Los Angeles Discovered With Potentially Deadly Pathogens 2Consumers at Risk: One in Six Wood Pallets in Los Angeles Discovered With Potentially Deadly Pathogens 3Consumers at Risk: One in Six Wood Pallets in Los Angeles Discovered With Potentially Deadly Pathogens 4Roche Holds Seventh Annual Children's Walk 2Roche Holds Seventh Annual Children's Walk 3Roche Holds Seventh Annual Children's Walk 4Roche Holds Seventh Annual Children's Walk 5
... 266 amino acids and is variably N-glycosylated. The ... of between 43 and 56 kDa. Insulin-like growth ... high affinity but do not bind insulin. Of ... at this time, IGFBP-3 has been shown to ...
... is ideal for hospital laboratories, blood bank ... pharmaceutical laboratories. It fully automates the entire ... assays from different manufacturers. The Genesis RMP ... to 600'000 tests, using 4 needles, 8 ...
... assays are designed for ... 2000, a high-throughput, continuous ... IMMULITE 2000 offers testing ... a rapidly expanding menu ...
... Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for ... IgG antibodies to extractable nuclear ... (Ro), or SS-B (La)] in ... SS-B (La) antibodies aid in ...
Medicine Products: