Regan Ashby is currently setting up the new technique of laser capture micro-dissection with the goal of analysing changes in gene expression within specific layers of the retina using microarray technology and PCR.

A major problem in previous studies investigating changes in gene expression in the retina during periods of altered ocular growth using real-time PCR analyses, as well as microarray studies, is that the entire retinal tissue, which is highly heterogeneous, is pooled. If biochemical or mRNA concentration changes occur in different retinal cells, but with different signs, the net changes observed may be zero. This may mask potentially important changes in subgroups of retinal cells. Removing and studying changes in gene expression within specific cell populations of the retina, therefore, may provide important new results.

To this end, Regan treats chickens with spectacle lenses or diffusers, prepares their retinas, makes transversal frozen sections and cuts selected layers from the retina using laser capture micro-dissection technology, for later mRNA analyses.

Preliminary data has been presented at ARVO 2008, # 3592/D830
"Laser Capture Microdissection of Retinal Glucagonergic Amacrine Cells From Immunostained Frozen Sections for mRNA Analysis", Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008, 3:00 PM - 4:45 PM