Retinal ganglion cells: Development, function, and disease

Thirteenth Annual Vision Research Conference April 30–May 1–2, 2010 Convention Center Ft. Lauderdale, FL The 13th Annual Vision Research Conference, ‘‘Retinal ganglion cells: development, function, and disease’’ was held at the Convention Center at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, April 30–May 1, 2010. The meeting was very well attended (294 registrations), and 39 invited speakers reviewed the latest developments in pathogenesis and neuroprotection for ganglion cells, optic nerve damage and regeneration, ganglion cell development and axonal targeting, signal processing, ganglion cell death, and the latest on photosensitive ganglion cells. This special issue contains 11 excellent contributions from speakers and poster presenters of the meeting. The contributions focus mainly on three sessions, pathogenesis/optic nerve damage, ganglion cell development, and photosensitive ganglion cells. Outstanding contributions are a mini review on dominant optic atrophy in a mouse model (Dr. Marcela Votruba), a review on how retinal progenitors specify retinal ganglion cell fate (Dr. William H. Klein), an analysis of mutant and wild-type ganglion cell using genetically-directed sparse labeling (Dr. Tudor Badea), and a review on visual responses in the lateral geniculate (Dr. Rob Lucas).