ABSTRACT
The development of the eye has long fascinated embryologists. The great classical developmental biologist, Hans Spemann, studied lens induction before his pioneering investigations of the organizer and neural induction. In addition, it was discovered in the late 1700’s that parts of the eye regenerate in amphibians. This fascination is likely in part due to the fact that humans are such highly visual animals. Moreover, the loss of sight is probably the most diffi cult sensory defi cit to adjust to. In recent years, however, the understanding of the development and regeneration in this system has reached a new level. Many of the principal molecular systems have been identifi ed. Nevertheless, we are still lacking a coherent model of the mechanisms that control the patterning of the ocular domains during early development and the factors that control cell diversity in the developing retina, despite years of effort. The relatively new emphasis on
Department of Biological Structure, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA98195. Email: tomreh@u.washington.edu
the development of protocols to direct embryonic stem cells to eye and retinal fates, for their ultimate use in cell therapy for retinal degenerative diseases, has provided new impetus to better understand the molecular mechanisms of retinal development. This review will focus on three related areas-retinal development, regeneration and stem cells-with an emphasis on new fi ndings, particularly in the mammalian retina, where translational work can have a direct impact on human disease.
