Calcium dynamics in retinal ganglion cells

视网膜神经节细胞（RGCs）是视网膜上的神经元，负责处理和整合视觉信息，然后将信号从眼睛传递到大脑。这种处理的大部分是负责精细的视觉和感知对比度的能力，这是由于单个rgc活动的净增加，减少或没有变化。已经确定有许多亚型的RGCs具有不同的功能特性；然而，缺乏这些RGC亚型的体内功能分析。活体眼成像技术允许对活体动物的单个RGCs进行可视化和跟踪，这将使我们能够研究它们的功能和结构特性。因此，本研究的目的是测量RGC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RGCs表达一种特殊荧光蛋白GCaMP3的基因工程或转基因小鼠中检测RGCs的功能反应和结构特征。当视网膜受到光刺激时，GCaMP3荧光可以在体内无创成像。测量GCaMP3荧光变化的开始和程度将使我们能够表征不同亚型的rgc，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的RGCs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.