Why Certain Retina Ganglion Cells Stay Strong in Glaucoma

This proposal uniquely integrates spatial transcriptomics with advanced genetic manipulations to investigate retinal ganglion cell degeneration, maintaining cellular context to unravel glaucoma’s complex molecular landscape. Employing MERFISH allows for unprecedented visualization of RGC transcriptomes in situ, enhancing understanding of cell-specific responses to stress and potential neuroprotective mechanisms. This approach pioneers a comprehensive, spatially-resolved exploration of glaucoma pathophysiology.

Upon completion, this study is expected to offer novel insights into the cellular mechanisms of glaucoma, paving the way for targeted therapies that can potentially halt or reverse vision loss. The integration of spatial transcriptomics could also set a new standard for studying neurodegenerative diseases more broadly, benefiting both clinical approaches and basic neurological research.