Final Activity Report Summary - CIRCUIT ANALYSIS (Functional analysis of neural circuits identified by molecular markers and trans-synaptic tracers)
In a second project, the fundamental knowledge about the retina could be applied to a novel form of treating blindness, by applying a microbial light-sensitive protein to specific cells in the retina. As a consequence, these cells can now take over the function of the dying photoreceptors. Together with other colleagues in the laboratory of Botond Roska at the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel, Thomas Münch has shown in a mouse model of retinal degeneration, that this treatment brings back light responses of the retina, responses of the visual cortex, and light-guided behaviour of the treated animals. After more research and testing, this approach to treating blindness may eventually also be applicable to treating human blindness.