Mouse models have greatly assisted our understanding of retinal degenerations. However,
the mouse retina does not have a macula, leading to the question of whether the mouse is a …

Recent studies have shown that metals such as copper, zinc, aluminum, cadmium, chromium,
iron and lead cause severe dose-dependent disturbances in growth, morphogenesis, …

Various contaminants like metals and heavy metals are constantly released into the environment
by anthropogenic activities. The heavy metal chromium has a wide industrial use and …

Human RPE cell lines, especially the ARPE-19 cell line, are widely-used in eye research,
as well as general epithelial cell studies. In comparison with primary RPE cells, they offer …

The vertebrate photoreceptor cell contains an elaborate cilium that includes a stack of
phototransductive membrane disks. The disk membranes are continually renewed, but how new …

Mutations in CLN3 lead to photoreceptor cell loss in CLN3 disease, a lysosomal storage
disorder characterized by childhood-onset vision loss, neurological impairment, and premature …

Stargardt macular dystrophy 3 (STGD3) is caused by dominant mutations in the ELOVL4
gene. Like other macular degenerations, pathogenesis within the retinal pigment epithelium (…

Aquatic environments like peat bogs are affected by anthropogenic metal input into the
environment. These ecosystems are inhabited by unicellular green algae of the class …

Entry of metals in form of aerosols into areas of high air humidity such as peat bogs represents
a serious danger for inhabiting organisms such as the unicellular desmid Micrasterias …

Rod and cone photoreceptor outer segment (OS) structural integrity is essential for normal
vision; disruptions contribute to a broad variety of retinal ciliopathies. OSs possess many …