Ute Mathis studies the colocalization of the ZENK protein with retinal transmitters in the mouse.

Recent studies by Marita Feldkämper have suggested that the mRNA sequence for glucagon and the glucagon receptor can be isolated from the mouse retina. However, immunohistochemical staining of glucagon itself was not (yet?) successful.
This is in line with studies in other mammalian models, performed by Andy Fischer and Bill Stell (see "Collaborations"). It is possible that other neuropeptides, perhaps even metabolites of glucagon, may have taken over its signaling function.

Ute Mathis tries to localize potential candidates to the ZENK amacrine cells in the mouse retina.

TGF-beta2 is a well-known scleral growth modulator which also can be shown to change in concentration when growth is induced by diffusers or lenses in front of the eye.
TGF-beta2 has also been shown to change in the choroid, at least at the mRNA level, by Perikles Simon. However, the results are inconsistent in the literature regarding the retina.

Ute Mathis is studying cellular localization and visually-induced changes by immunofluorescent labelling in the chicken model.