Nanowire Arrays Restore Vision in Blind Mice

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of nanowire arrays for restoring vision in blind mice, focusing on the development of artificial photoreceptors and their potential applications in retinal prosthetics. The scope includes theoretical implications, experimental results, and potential materials for substrate use.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the successful restoration of light responses in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) using gold nanoparticle-decorated titania nanowire arrays.
  • There are claims regarding the spatial resolution of better than 100 µm in the restored visual responses.
  • Some participants mention the blocking of ON responses in RGCs by glutamatergic antagonists, indicating functional preservation of remaining retinal circuits.
  • Others note that neurons in the primary visual cortex respond to light after the subretinal implant of nanowire arrays.
  • One participant suggests exploring the use of impregnated silk as a substrate for these applications, prompting questions about its viability.
  • A follow-up inquiry seeks clarification on the rationale behind using impregnated silk, indicating a need for further discussion on this material choice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express interest in the potential of nanowire arrays for vision restoration, but there is no consensus on the use of impregnated silk as a substrate, with differing levels of familiarity and belief in its effectiveness.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the effectiveness of materials and methods discussed remain unresolved, particularly concerning the proposed use of impregnated silk.

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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?