Characterisation of cells suitable for photoreceptor replacement

The time course and mechanism by which cells committed to the photoreceptor lineage integrate into the densely packed outer nuclear layer (ONL) of the adult, non-neurogenic mammalian retina remains to be elucidated. Detailed analysis of the expression profile of cells with the potential to integrate into the ONL might be helpful for the isolation of highly purified donor cells from retinal tissue or in vitro expanded stem cells for grafting into models of retinopathies. Furthermore it might provide insights into the biological mechanisms of cell integration and differentiation in the adult mammalian retina.

The specific aims of this project are:

1. Isolation of cells representing distinct stages of photoreceptor development

2. Evaluate the potential of sorted cells for integration and photoreceptor differentiation after transplantation

3. Comparative global mRNA expression analysis of distinct cell populations

4. Define a molecular signature of cells that have the potential for integration and photoreceptor differentiation

5. Generation and enrichment of transplantable retinal cells generated from pluripotent stem cells