Striatech News

This study by Lu et al investigates the dose-dependent efficiency of adeno-associated virus (AAV) in delivering optogenetic tools to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and its impact on restoring vision in models of retinal degeneration. The researchers found that higher AAV doses improve transduction efficiency but may also lead to adverse effects. Using the OptoDrum device, they demonstrated functional vision restoration in treated subjects, highlighting the therapeutic potential of optogenetics for blindness caused by photoreceptor loss.

This year, Striatech is once again donating to the PRO RETINA Foundation to support their great work for retinal researchers and affected individuals.

This Journal Club provides insights into Matteo Rizzi’s research on lateral inhibition in the retina, highlighting its impact on visual function and the development of gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration.

Uveitis is an inflammation in the eye, and it can be studied in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) mice. Here, Hösel et al investigated the effects of treatment by intravitreal injection of a neutralizing anti-interleukin-6 antibody. Results showed significantly higher visual acuity, as measured with the OptoDrum, and lower clinical scores in treated eyes compared to control eyes. This study suggests that intravitreal anti-IL-6 treatment may be a promising approach for noninfectious uveitis, warranting further investigation.

On the occation of World Alzheimer’s Day 2024, we’d like to highlight recent advances in understanding Tau protein’s role in the healthy brain, where it has been found to regulate neural plasticity in response to changing sensory input.

This Journal Club highlights the conservation of rod, cone, and melanopsin-expressing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) between mice and humans, facilitating the translation of visual function studies to clinical settings. It examines early degeneration of ipRGCs in Alzheimer’s models and human post-mortem retinas, and discusses how non-invasive assessments of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and pupillary light reflex in both species may serve as early biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity measurements were conducted using Striatech’s OptoDrum.

Looking to gain insights from a satisfied OptoDrum user? Visit us at booth #1147 at ARVO2024! We’ll have multiple OptoDrum users on hand to share their firsthand experiences and answer all your questions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Register now to secure your spot in our exclusive Q&A sessions with them.

This study investigated the stability of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in mice as they age from 6 to 12 months old. ipRGCs are crucial for non-image-forming visual functions and are often lost in early stages of ocular degenerative diseases. The research found that both the structure and function of ipRGCs remained remarkably stable during this period in healthy mice, with no significant changes in pupillary light reflex, visual acuity, or contrast sensitivity. These findings suggest that ipRGC-mediated functions could serve as potential biomarkers for early detection of conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and diabetes. The OptoDrum was used to assess visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in mice, providing crucial data that contributed to the study’s conclusion about the stability of ipRGC function during aging.

Join us at the 2024 ARVO Meeting in Seattle, WA from May 5 to 9! Come experience our state-of-the-art OptoDrum, Photorefractor, and Keratometer firsthand. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore our innovative vision research tools in action and join one of our special events. See you there!

This article is an in-depth investigation of molecular alterations underlying chiasmatic misrouting in the albino binocular circuit. During development, in a specialized retinal niche—the ciliary margin—fewer cells express the cellcycle regulator CyclinD2. Consequently, the cell cycle is elongated, resulting in fewer ipsilaterally projecting RGCs and perturbed binocular vision.

Striatech is excited to announce our partnership with Phoenix-Micron, Inc., making them our exclusive sales representative for the USA and Canada. This collaboration enhances accessibility to our expanding product portfolio, particularly benefiting the North American scientific community. We’re committed to supporting your scientific pursuits and welcome inquiries about our products and discussions on your research needs.

This Journal Club demonstrates the effectiveness of an AAV-based gene therapy in rescuing vision and restoring normal retinal responses in a mouse model of KCNV2 retinopathy, a genetic form of irreversible blindness caused by mutations in the Kv8.2 subunit of voltage-gated potassium channels. Efficacy tests were carried out with Striatech’s OptoDrum and ScotopicKit, among others.