A Mexican scientist studies the retina to prevent blindness
By Digital Solidarity (Solidaridad Digital), September 2, 2002 - Number 534, DIGITAL DISNNET PRESS AGENCY
Ana María López, a Mexican scientist, who has recently been awarded the L'Oreal-UNESCO Award, announced in Mexico City that she is studying the molecular mechanism of the retina in the representation of images. Her purpose is to combat diseases that cause blindness.
At present, this specialist in biochemistry and neuroscience is studying the molecular mechanisms found in synaptic neuron transmission of the retina when images are formed. Her research focuses on a neurotransmitter called glutamate.
López ColomŽ, is a member of the Mexican Academy of Science, and has explained how synaptic transmission is the way by which neurons communicate with each other. The Nerve System is composed of two types of cells: neurons, responsible for coordinating activities by means of impulses and transmissions. The other type of cells are the Glia (from Latin, gum), which are like support and links.
The real news is that Ana María López has found, by studying chickens and rats, that the Glia, Müller type cells, are far from just being links, they are able to generate neurons, which opens new research paths. She holds that once the image capturing process is completely understood, and we know how the synaptic connections are made in the retina, scientists will be in a better position to start developing specific medicines for diseases causing certain types of blindness.
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