Physiological optics and biomechanics of the vertebrate lens

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Proper functioning of the eye relies on the integrity the various tissues within it. The lens is uniquely dedicated to both optical and biomechanical functions, maintaining transparency to allow light to reach the retina, yet also allowing for a change in shape in order to bring nearby objects into focus on the retina in a process called accommodation. The main function of the retina is to sense light, however, it is also involved in regulating normal eye growth. Retinal signalling is crucial for lens development, but investigations of the interactions between the retina and lens in growing or adult eyes have been few.** The long term objective of the proposed research is to determine how the lens interacts with other ocular structures to mediate normal and abnormal ocular functions. The shorter term goals are to determine the cellular mechanisms underlying lenticular structure and functions. Chicks will be used as they accommodate by deforming the lens, which is important for understanding how biomechanical properties and lenticular architecture are linked. ** The ultrastructure and physiology of the lens are uniquely adapted to maintain optical clarity. Many studies have determined a role for various molecular proteins in the lens fibre cells in maintaining transparency but few studies ask how these same often structural proteins, affect, or are affected by accommodation. The proposed research will investigate if and how 1) cytoskeletal proteins, which have both structural and molecular motor roles, and 2) fluid flow, which is important for maintaining transparency of the lens, affect accommodation. Cytoskeletal proteins and fluid flow in the lens will be disrupted by inhibitors and the biomechanical integrity, optical quality, changes in the distribution of the proteins and effectiveness of the inhibitor will be assessed. The results of this research can have an impact on the aetiology of cataract, which is a clouding of the lens that is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and on presbyopia, the age-related loss of focussing ability that affects 98% of the population over 40 years of age.************************