Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Seeing Eyes
26 July 2018

Seeing Eyes

Eyes are our window on the world, but for researchers hoping to discover the secrets behind how they work, they’re a window made of one-way glass. Much of our understanding of how the eye and brain interact comes from dissections of removed eyes, which can only tell you so much. A new approach uses a tiny injectable mesh of electronics (pictured in place in a mouse eye) to directly monitor activity in a healthy eye. The mesh settles, conforming to contours at the back of the eye (retina), and interfaces with individual cells without impairing vision or movement. Tiny sensors then record activity for up to two weeks, allowing researchers to track detailed patterns of cell activity. The technique has already revealed new information about how our eyes behave at different times of day, and researchers hope it could open a window on everything from glaucoma to vision-restoring prosthetics.

Written by Anthony Lewis

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.