Abstract
Presentation Description :
We have recently restored retinal ganglion cell responses in the living macaque by inserting ChrimsonR into ganglion cells. This was accomplished in eyes in which visually-mediated ganglion cell responses were eliminated by a focal laser lesion of foveal photoreceptors. ChrimsonR was inserted into ganglion cells with a viral vector that targeted inner retina neurons. In addition, the calcium indicator G-CaMP6 was inserted into the same ganglion cells to permit in-vivo measurement of ganglion cell responses. Observation of the visually-driven responses by the fluorescent response of the calcium indicator required use of adaptive optics in vivo imaging. This is the first in vivo demonstration of optogenetically restored visual responses following damage to outer retina neurons.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.