Targetting optogenetic constructs to retinal ON-Bipolar cells (360G-Wellcome-205151_Z_16_Z)

£285,040

"How best can optogenetic constructs be targeted to retinal ON-Bipolar cells to restore functional vision?" This project aims to use the human photopigment melanopsin to induce light responses in retinal ON-bipolar cells (optogenetics) of a mouse model, blind from retinal degeneration, in order to restore functional vision. This comprises three key goals: Goal 1 "When" To further describe changes in bipolar cells over time during retinal degeneration in terms of their gene expression and association with other cells in the mouse model. Goal 2 "What" To determine if melanopsin - or an alternative construct (Channel Rhodopsin - ChR2) - is more efficacious in restoring functional vision. Quantified:- At a cellular level (Calcium imaging, Electrophysiology) At an organism level (Behavioural paradigms) Goal 3 "Where" To determine if bipolar cells – or an alternative target (retinal ganglion cells) - are more efficacious in restoring functional vision by melanopsin expression (quantified as in goal 2). The eventual purpose of these goals is, along with parallel work, to develop an application to the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC) to conduct a clinical trial to restore functional vision in patients blind from inherited retinal degenerations.

Where is this data from?

This data was originally published by The Wellcome Trust. If you see something about your organisation or the funding it has received on this page that doesn't look right you can submit a grantee amendment request. You can hover over codes from standard codelists to see the user-friendly name provided by 360Giving.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded 285040
Applicant Surname Gilhooley
Approval Committee Internal Decision Panel
Award Date 2016-09-30T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2015/16
Grant Programme: Title PhD Training Fellowship for Clinicians
Internal ID 205151/Z/16/Z
Lead Applicant Mr Michael Gilhooley
Partnership Value 285040
Planned Dates: End Date 2019-10-03T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2016-10-03T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region South East