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Related Concept Videos

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

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At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
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Channel Rhodopsins01:11

Channel Rhodopsins

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Most organisms use photoreceptors to sense and respond to light. Examples of photoreceptors include bacteriorhodopsins and bacteriophytochromes in some bacteria, phytochromes in plants, and rhodopsins in the photoreceptor cells of the vertebral retina. The light-sensitive property of these receptors is because of the bound chromophores, such as bilin in the phytochromes and retinal in the rhodopsins.
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Selective Viral Transduction of Adult-born Olfactory Neurons for Chronic in vivo Optogenetic Stimulation
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Optogenetic Vision Restoration Using Rhodopsin for Enhanced Sensitivity.

Benjamin M Gaub1, Michael H Berry2, Amy E Holt2

  • 1Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.

Molecular Therapy : the Journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy
|July 4, 2015
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Summary

Gene therapy using vertebrate rhodopsin restored vision in blind mice at dim light levels. This novel approach offers hope for treating advanced retinal diseases by enhancing light sensitivity.

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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Retinal diseases lack treatments for advanced stages with photoreceptor loss.
  • Current optogenetic therapies have limited light sensitivity.
  • Photoreceptive G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can activate endogenous signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of using vertebrate rhodopsin gene therapy for visual restoration.
  • To enhance light sensitivity in retinal cells through endogenous signal amplification.
  • To assess the functional recovery of vision in a mouse model of blindness.

Main Methods:

  • Targeted gene therapy delivering vertebrate rhodopsin to retinal ON-bipolar cells in rd1 mice.
  • Evaluation of light responses in retinal explants.
  • Measurement of visually-evoked potentials in the visual cortex.
  • Assessment of visually-guided behaviors, including light avoidance and pattern discrimination.

Main Results:

  • Restoration of light responses in retinal explants and visually-evoked potentials in vivo.
  • Successful visually-guided behaviors observed at light levels 100-1000 times dimmer than required for channelrhodopsin.
  • Demonstrated functional vision restoration using native light-gated GPCRs.

Conclusions:

  • Gene therapy with native light-gated GPCRs, specifically vertebrate rhodopsin, offers a promising approach for visual restoration.
  • This method significantly enhances light sensitivity, enabling vision at low light levels.
  • Provides a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with late-stage retinal diseases and vision loss.