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The
retina is the sensory membrane lining the eye. It has a photoreceptor
layer, a single layer of rods and cones, that transforms light
into a nervous influx that the optic nerve sends to the brain
were it is analyzed by the primary visual cortex.
Members
of the retinal and developmental axis, concentrate their research
efforts on the causes of retinal degeneration and dysfunction.
Quite a few pathologies can seriously affect retinal function
: macula degeneration, brought on by aging, is found in 3
to 5 % of subjects over the age of seventy and in 10 to 25
% of subjects over eighty, diabetic retinopathy, which is
the leading cause of blindness among the population within
working age, and finally, retinopathy of prematurity that
touches approxi-mately 50% of premature babies and is the
leading cause of visual ailments within this population.
Team members
rely on biochemistry, therapeutics, physiology and pharmacology
for their many research projects. A series of projects targets
the genes, proteins and lipids implicated in the pathogenesis
of macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and ishaemic
retinopathies such as diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy
of prematurity. |
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Other
research projects rely on an electrophysiological approach
to target the dysfunctional mechanisms of the retina and its
central projections. Electrophysiological techniques are also
used to test visual function after post-traumatic cerebral
damage. These projects should allow us to fine tune early
diagnostic methods, identify people with high risk factors
and develop new therapeutic avenues.
An
uveal melanoma – more precisely a choroid melanoma –
is the most common eye tumor. It will metastasize in 25
to 30 % of cases within 5 years. Contrary to skin melanoma
metastases which travel through the lymphatic system, uveal
melanoma metastases travel through the circulatory system
and usually spread to the liver. The discovery of hepatic
metastases gives way to a very somber prognostic since no
effective treatment exists.
Axis team
members are trying to find ways to detect the more aggressive
tumors that are likely to metastasize. This research should
allow us to eventually identify people who are at risk and
to find a preventive treatment for hepatic metastases. Team
members are also studying non-infectious inflammations of
the uvea.
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