UPenn - Vision Research Center Shared Imaging Instrumentation Example Projects

June 2012: OCT Imaging in Canine

The VRC provides support for OCT imaging in canine. One example of the use of this instrument is in providing in vivo evidence of gene augmentation therapy success in XLPRA dogs. (A) Cross-sectional OCT retinal scans crossing the treatment bleb boundary (dashed line in H484, H483, and Z412) or comparing inside and outside the bleb region (white space in Z414) in treated eyes of XLPRA1 (H484, H483) and XLPRA2 (Z412, Z414) dogs. ONL is highlighted in blue for visibility. (Insets) Red line represents the location of the scans. In the treated (Tx) regions, there is better preservation of the photoreceptors and their nuclei. (B) The OCT scans over large retinal regions were used to generate topography maps of ONL thickness in treated eyes shown on a pseudocolor scale with superimposed retinal blood vessels and optic nerve. White represents no data; irregularly shaped black foci indicate retinotomy sites. Bleb boundaries are outlined with green-and-white dashed lines. Small inset figures are saline-treated control fellow eyes.

For details, refer to:
Beltran, W.A., Cideciyan, A.V., Lewin, A.S., Iwabe, S., Khanna, H., Sumaroka, A., Chiodo, V.A. Fajardo, D.S., Román, A.J., Deng, W.-T., Swider, M., Alemán, T.S., Boye, S.L., Genini, S., Swaroop, A., Hauswirth, W.W., Jacobson, S.G., Aguirre, G.D. Gene therapy rescues photoreceptor blindness in dogs and paves the way for treating human X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 109(6): 2132-2137, 2012. (PMC3277562)

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January 2012: Multi-Electrode Array Recording from Guinea Pig Retina

Dr. Balasubramian's lab has used the multi-electrode array to record from and characterize ganglion cell responses in guinea pig retina, with support from the Shared Imaging Equipment module. The left panel of the image shows the electrode array. The blue traces in the upper right panel shows activity recorded from individual electrodes in the array in response to visual stimulation. Spikes are evident in some traces. The lower right panel shows the receptive fields of a number of simultaneously recorded ganglion cells. We are currently developing techniques to record from mouse retina. Contact Sergei Nikonov (sergein@mail.med.upenn.edu) for information on using the MEA in your research.

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January 2012: Recording from Mouse Cones

The Shared Imaging Equipment module has developed techniques for recording from single mouse cones in response to light stimulation using our 2P/confocal setup. The image shows the time course of flash responses (left panel) and an intensity-response curve (right panel). Please contact Sergei Nikonov (sergein@mail.med.upenn.edu) for information on using this technique in your research.

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January 2012: 2P Confocal Imaging of CA++ in Ganglion Cells

The Shared Imaging Equipment module has developed techniques for recording CA++ intake to ganglion cells. In the movie, the red flashes indiate CA++ activity. Contact Sergei Nikonov (sergein@mail.med.upenn.edu ) for information on using this technique in your research.