scEye-Map: Developmental trajectories of progenitor cell populations in the human eye at single cell resolution

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We wish to understand how the human eye develops at single cell resolution for two related reasons. Firstly we would like to use the single cell 'omic data to identify cells within the adult eye that retain the ability to replace damages tissue . Secondly to help understand the timing and cellular basis of severe birth defects affecting the eyes, particularly complete absence of both eyes and similar conditions which result in blindness from birth. There are many different types of cell in the adult eye and each developed from a progenitor cell during early development. There is evidence for the existence of rare cells - known as progenitor-like cells - in the adult eye, which, in other species, can be stimulated to replace specialist cells that have died. We have access to both adult eyes and human embryonic eye tissue. Our aim is to identify all the major cell types in the embryonic eye and map the progress of these cell populations through development to know what their fate is in the adult eye. We will use an important new technology called single cell analysis which allows us to look at which genes are turned on in each cell in the population. Gene expression is a very reliable tool for the precise categorisation of cells and allows us to identify types of cells that are not noticeable but looking under the microscope at their shape or position. The use of advanced data analysis techniques then allow us to match cell types across development to predict their ultimate fate. The information will be available to all scientists and clinicians to help their understanding of eye development and disease.