Optical Imaging of the Retina: A window on visual development and the aging brain

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My team and I will apply unique imaging techniques to give important insights into early eye development and aging of the eye and brain. Long term aims are 1) to develop novel optical corrections to slow progressive near-sightedness, a sight threatening condition with a rapidly increasing prevalence; 2) via novel imaging of proteins near retinal nerve cells in the eye, achieve diagnostic prediction of protein loads in the brain which are associated with diseases of aging. Inventions will be patented and commercialized with economic and health benefits to Canadians. Lab members will study the image across the back of the growing eye and signals for 1) when the image is focused and 2) the direction of image defocus. We will measure the ability of light activated cells to resolve these signals. Then we will compare signals and resolution in chick and children's eyes, including those which have grown in focus, are at risk of growing out of focus and those that require correction for defocus. From the differences in optical signals and image resolution between groups, we will design innovative optical corrections that could provide missing optical signals and reduce the incidence of near-sightedness. In the older eye, in tissue, our study will determine if novel, dye-free imaging of retinal deposits of proteins tau and alpha synuclein predicts changes in protein loads in the brain as we previously found for amyloid protein. Positive predictions will confirm that retinal deposits are novel markers of multiple common brain diseases. We will build, modify and test a unique retinal imaging instrument to quantify retinal deposits in a few eyes for each of the proteins. Smaller proteins in retinal tissue will also be imaged as they cause initial neural damage. The resulting less expensive instrument will have many advantages over brain scans. It will allow for earlier prediction and tracking of risks of neural damage with age in the brain and more precise diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. It will enable earlier, cheaper, targeted therapies aimed at reducing protein loads in the aging brain prior to the development of associated diseases. Novel diagnostic instruments will be commercialized, improving quality of life and reducing the societal burden of neurodegeneration. 17 HQP (11 graduate students, 5 undergrads and 1 research assistant) will gain a comprehensive understanding of imaging, including various microscopies and eye imaging, as well as instrument design, construction and testing. They will benefit from exposure to vision science, neuroscience, photonics and biophysics. Exposure will range from fundamental understanding of the eye's image and the cells that sample it, protein deposit morphology and image properties to the process of patenting and commercializing inventions. Trainees will gain broad experience working with collaborators and industry partners. Their skills and experience are in demand, for example by biophotonics companies.