Researchers have grown human retinas in a petri dish, unveiling insights into why humans can perceive millions of colors while dogs and other mammals cannot. The study, recently published in PLOS Biology, explores the role of an offshoot of vitamin A in generating specialized cells for color vision. Contrary to previous beliefs, the research indicates that retinoic acid, not thyroid hormones, plays a crucial role in determining whether cone cells specialize in sensing red or green light. This breakthrough sheds light on color blindness, age-related vision loss, and the intricate processes guiding human-specific traits in retinal development.
How could lab-grown retinas pave the way for addressing vision problems and diseases like macular degeneration?