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Optical Design

Further insight into the details of vertebrate eye development

22 December 2021

Optical Design

A newly conceived embryo’s eyes start to develop around five weeks. Layers of cells fold inwards to create structures called the optic cups. These cells then start to mature and specialise as shown in the image: the green circular object is the developing lens; the white tulip-like region the developing retina; and the surrounding red layer contains protective pigmented cells. Here, scientists have identified a pair of chemicals with opposing gradients of concentration along the optic cup. How concentrated the chemicals are in the cells determines what genes are switched on and this, in turn, defines what type of cell they become. This study shows that the chemical gradients come from genes which are known to be evolutionary similar in humans, flies and even worms – further proof our eyes are not the product of intelligent design.

Written by Julie Webb

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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.

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