Nanowire Arrays Restore Vision in Blind Mice

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the development of artificial photoreceptors using gold nanoparticle-decorated titania nanowire arrays to restore vision in blind mice with retinal degeneration. The study demonstrates that these nanowire arrays can restore light responses in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with a spatial resolution exceeding 100 µm. Functional preservation of retinal circuits is indicated by the blocking of ON responses in RGCs with glutamatergic antagonists. Additionally, the improvement in pupillary light reflex suggests a behavioral recovery of light sensitivity, paving the way for advanced optoelectronic subretinal prosthetic devices.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of retinal degenerative diseases and their challenges
  • Familiarity with gold nanoparticle applications in biomedical engineering
  • Knowledge of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) functionality and responses
  • Basic principles of optoelectronic devices and their applications in prosthetics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of gold nanoparticle-decorated titania nanowire arrays
  • Explore the effects of glutamatergic antagonists on retinal circuits
  • Investigate advancements in subretinal prosthetic device technology
  • Learn about the role of the primary visual cortex in visual processing
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for biomedical engineers, neuroscientists, and researchers focused on vision restoration technologies and retinal prosthetics.

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Abstract:
The restoration of light response with complex spatiotemporal features in retinal degenerative diseases towards retinal prosthesis has proven to be a considerable challenge over the past decades. Herein, inspired by the structure and function of photoreceptors in retinas, we develop artificial photoreceptors based on gold nanoparticle-decorated titania nanowire arrays, for restoration of visual responses in the blind mice with degenerated photoreceptors. Green, blue and near UV light responses in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are restored with a spatial resolution better than 100 µm. ON responses in RGCs are blocked by glutamatergic antagonists, suggesting functional preservation of the remaining retinal circuits. Moreover, neurons in the primary visual cortex respond to light after subretinal implant of nanowire arrays. Improvement in pupillary light reflex suggests the behavioral recovery of light sensitivity. Our study will shed light on the development of a new generation of optoelectronic toolkits for subretinal prosthetic devices.

Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03212-0

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Soon I'll get my X-Ray eyes... :biggrin:
 
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Instead of wired for sound, some of us may get wired for sight. Very cool.
 
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How about using impregnated silk as a substrate?
 
manifespo said:
How about using impregnated silk as a substrate?

I'm not familiar with impregnated silk. Do you have some reason to believe that it would work here?