Speakers
Description
The retina is a complex neural network that transforms incoming light into neural signals that are transmitted to the brain. Understanding retinal function in normal and pathological conditions provides insights for intervening in degenerative processes and restoring vision. In recent years, mathematical approaches have come to play an increasingly prominent part in efforts to understand how the retina responds in diseased conditions, evaluate proposed treatments, and predict outcomes following novel interventions. This minisymposium considers a range of approaches to investigate retina function: analyses of photoreceptor decline as seen in inherited and age-related conditions; explorations of how metabolic changes and intracellular feedback might influence survival or loss of these cells; and practical modeling that informs the development of therapies. The session shows how mathematical modeling and experiments can inform each other, clarify complex biological interactions, and ultimately add to the strategies available for preserving vision.
