Molecular Mechanisms of Retinal Diseases: An Update

Dear Colleagues, 

Homeostatic processes of retinal structure and function are orchestrated by neurons, glial cells, and vasculature; their disruption leads to remodeling and degeneration in the pathophysiology of vision-threatening retinal diseases.

Recent advances in molecular biology have enabled state-of-the-art imaging techniques by using multiphoton microscopy, genome editing by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, novel disease modeling by using iPS cells, and multi-omics analyses, including single-cell RNA seq.

The above have allowed for the visualization of molecular dynamics in vivo, the establishment of disease-specific genetic modifications as well as models, and an understanding of complex intracellular diversity, resulting in the identification of promising molecules that cause critical pathologies and the determination of therapeutic strategies with which to restore damaged tissues and their functions.

This Special Issue aims to discuss and summarize insights into new molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutics for retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinal diseases, glaucoma, myopia, and retinal vascular diseases.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research or review articles on the pathogenesis of retinal diseases and their therapeutic targets via the use of novel molecular biological approaches.

Dr. Yukihiro Shiga
Guest Editor

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• in vivo imaging
• CRISPR/Cas9
• iPS cells
• single-cell RNA seq
• age-related macular degeneration
• diabetic retinopathy
• inherited retinal diseases
• glaucoma
• myopia
• retinal vascular diseases