Stay informed about the latest breakthroughs in vision science with our Vision Research Insights series. This collection offers clear, concise overviews of recent publications from the diverse research portfolio of the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Explore the most important findings and their real-world impacts, showcasing how WashU Medicine continues to drive innovation and improve eye health worldwide.
A supportive role of zonular fibers in vision
This Research Insight covers a publication from the Bassnett Lab. Here, we highlight how findings by Pooja Rathaur, PhD and colleagues have contributed to our understanding of how the fibrous molecules that comprise the zonular fibers of the eye support vision. In their paper published in Cells, scientists in the lab of Steven Bassnett, PhD—professor […]
Efficient information coding in the human retina
This Research Insight covers a study from the Kerschensteiner Lab. Here, we highlight how Florentina Soto, PhD and colleagues characterized the functional properties of the output cells of the retina to understand how information is coded in the human retina. This study from the Kerschensteiner Lab, published in Neuron, marks the first functional characterization of […]
Distinct cell types exhibit innate resilience in the retina post-injury
This Research Insight covers a publication from the Williams Lab. Here, we highlight how Allison Hall and colleagues unveiled the cellular identity of a retinal ganglion cell that innately survives well following injury to the optic nerve. They further explored cellular factors that could help explain the resilience of these cells to offer insights into […]
Mutations to CRX alter DNA binding to drive multiple inherited retinopathies
This Research Insight covers a study from the Chen Lab. Here, we highlight a proposed model for retinal degeneration based on binding activity of the Cone-Rod Homeobox transcription factor, CRX. In this study published in eLife, researchers in the lab of Shiming Chen, PhD, Dr. Bernard and Janet R. Becker Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at […]
Linking Ocular Hypertension and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: What We Can Do About It
This Research Insight covers a series of studies supported by Mae Gordon, PhD and Michael Kass, MD that highlights the impact of a long-term clinical study, the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS). Together, this research—spanning more than 20 years—has revolutionized the diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), its treatment, and patient outcomes. In this series […]