Scientists test functionality of regenerated photoreceptors in zebrafish

A new study published in Developmental Cell has demonstrated the functionality of regenerated photoreceptors in zebrafish following injury to the retina.

Researchers from the Technische Universität Dresden and the University of Sussex developed a custom microscope to track the activity of regenerated photoreceptors at the photoreceptor synapse – where light information is passed forward to other nerve cells.

The scientists were able to show that regenerated zebrafish photoreceptors regain function following injury to the retina.

Using the custom microscope, the researchers observed that the photoreceptors respond to light at different wavelengths and transmit the signal to nerve cells in the same way as the original photoreceptors.

The scientists found that the regenerated photoreceptors complete this task with the same sensitivity, quality and speed as the original photoreceptors.

Professor Michael Brand, of the Technische Universität Dresden, shared that the study is classical basic research and a long way from being applied in the clinic.

“However, being able to eventually achieve such functional regeneration from stem cells already located in the human retina could potentially revolutionise the treatment of currently untreatable diseases like retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration. This study brings us one step closer to that dream,” he said.