Michael A. Grassi, MD

University of Chicago - Visionary

Project title: "Role of the Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway in Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP)"

 

Photoreceptors are the light sensing cells of the eyes. They are composed of the rods (dim light) and cones (color and fine vision). RP is a disease that primarily causes loss of the rods. It is the loss of cones, though, that is so devastating from a functional standpoint to patients with RP. Cones die secondarily from a bystander effect due to changes in the cellular microenvironment created by the injured and dying rods.

We anticipate increasing the understanding of external death signaling between rods and cones in RP.  We hope to use this knowledge to increase the survival of the cones thereby allowing patients with this disease to maintain functional vision longer.