Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Research and Discoveries/The Universe Within: Holiday Visions

The Universe Within: Holiday Visions

The Universe Within: Holiday Visions
December 23, 2012
Tim Bonfield
1 Comments

Imagine taking a fantastic voyage deep into your own eye. As you get smaller and smaller, the world around you becomes surreal.

This is the developing retina of a mouse, as seen under a powerful confocal microscope. The green structures depict blood vessels reaching out to form new branches. The red objects are myeloid cells that act as cellular traffic cops guiding the process.

This image was provided by Richard Lang, PhD, director of the Visual Systems Group at Cincinnati Children’s. Lang is studying how blood vessels form in the retina to learn more about a common cause of blindness called macular degeneration. Surprisingly, his findings also may offer insights into controlling cancer.

Lang describes the molecular processes at work in a scientific paper published May 29, 2011 in the journal Nature.

If a drug can be developed that can slow down blood vessel formation, it could reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which is caused by out-of-control blood vessels damaging the retina. Slowing the process also could help fight cancer by cutting off the blood supply that tumors need to grow.

Related Articles

Childhood Cancer Survivors: Questions To Ask When Ready to Start A Family
Childhood Cancer Survivors: Questions To Ask When Ready to Start A Family
Chevy and Katie: Best Friends Through Cancer Treatment
Chevy and Katie: Best Friends Through Cancer Treatment
My Child Was Diagnosed With Cancer – Now What?
My Child Was Diagnosed With Cancer – Now What?
The Challenges of Cancer Therapy in Adolescents and Young Adults
The Challenges of Cancer Therapy in Adolescents and Young Adults
TAGS:
  • cancer
  • Macular degeneration
  • Richard Lang PhD
  • Universe Within
  • Visual Systems Group

About the author: Tim Bonfield

Tim Bonfield is an associate in Marketing & Communications at Cincinnati Children's. He joined the medical center in 2009 after 17 years at the Cincinnati Enquirer as an award-winning health beat writer, assistant local news editor and Butler-Warren bureau chief. Tim is a proud Cincinnati native and the frazzled father of two teen daughters.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

Busam Nissan January 3, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Tim this is so fascinating, the developing retina of a mouse under the microscope looks so odd yet intriguing! Let’s hope Richard Lang continues to work on this and is successful in reducing macular degeneration! 🙂 Thanks your friends at Busam Nissan.

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 817 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 549 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 485 views

  • Family Finds Heart Care Needed for Complex Condition 398 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 251 views

  • Should I Worry If My Child’s Chest Is Sunken? 234 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center