Light-mediated planar polarization of cone photoreceptors in the mammalian retina

The precise arrangement of organelles within tissues, known as Planar Cell Polarity (PCP), orchestrates vital developmental and sensory processes. In the inner ear for instance, signal-sensing cells display a coordinated spatial arrangement of stereocilia that is essential to optimize information processing and functional response. In the mammalian retina, vision is initiated at the level of the light-sensitive cilium of photoreceptor cells, but whether these cilia are spatially organized relative to one another remains poorly characterized. In our lab, we recently discovered that in the mouse retina, cone photoreceptors cilia are systematically anchored at the edge of the inner segment facing the center of the retina, thereby defining a previously unappreciated PCP in the mammalian retina. Surprisingly, we uncover that cone planar polarization requires light during a critical developmental period. I will discuss our efforts to drive progress in understanding how light mediates PCP in cones as well as the potential significance of cone PCP in vision.

Michael Housset, PhD

Associate Researcher, Cellular Biology

Montreal Clinical Research Institute

Faculty Co-hosts: Alecia K. Gross, PhD, FARVO and Thomas T. Norton, PhD

On-site attendance may account for one Alabama CE credit for ODs.

Please RSVP to Nakia Lee by March 14th.