Calcium dynamics in retinal ganglion cells

视网膜神经节细胞(RGC)是视网膜中的神经元，负责处理和整合视觉信息，然后将信号从眼睛传输到大脑。这种加工很大程度上负责精细的视力和感知对比的能力，这是由于单个视网膜节细胞活动的净增加、减少或没有变化所导致的。已经证实，RGC有许多亚型，具有不同的功能特性，但缺乏对这些RGC亚型的体内功能分析。活体眼科成像技术可以可视化和跟踪活体动物中的单个视网膜节细胞，这将使我们能够研究它们的功能和结构特性。因此，这项建议的目的是测量视网膜节细胞的光诱发反应，以提高我们对不同RGC亚型及其功能的理解。*我们的研究将在基因工程或转基因小鼠中检测视网膜节细胞的功能反应和结构特征，其视网膜节细胞表达特殊的荧光蛋白GCaMP3。当视网膜受光刺激时，GCaMP3荧光可以在体内无创地成像。测量GCaMP3荧光的起始和变化程度将使我们能够表征不同的RGCs亚型，并将它们的结构和功能联系起来。这些研究的结果将极大地提高我们对视觉反应影响不同类型视网膜节细胞及其功能的理解。

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are neurons in the retina responsible for processing and integrating visual information prior to transmitting signals from the eye to the brain. Much of this processing is responsible for fine vision and ability to perceive contrast which results from a net increase, decrease or no change in the activity of individual RGCs. It has been established that there are many subtypes of RGCs with varied functional properties; however, in vivo functional analysis of these RGC subtypes is lacking. In vivo ophthalmic imaging techniques permit visualization and tracking of individual RGCs in living animals, which will allow us to study their functional and structural properties. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to measure light-evoked responses of RGCs to improve our understanding of different RGC subtypes and their functions.*** Our research will examine functional responses and structural features of RGCs in a genetically engineered or transgenic mouse whose RGCs express a special fluorescent protein, GCaMP3. When the retina is stimulated with light, GCaMP3 fluorescence can be imaged in vivo and non-invasively. Measuring the onset and degree of changes in GCaMP3 fluorescence will allow us to characterize different subtypes of RGCs and relate their structures and functions. Results of these studies will vastly improve our understanding of visual responses impact different types of RGCs and their functions.