title: The bionic retina: a small molecule with big potential for visual restoration.
abstract: In this issue of Neuron, Polosukhina et al. (2012) intravitreally deliver the light-activatable molecule acrylamide-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium (AAQ) to the eyes of mice with end-stage retinal degeneration. Results show that, with the appropriate illumination, AAQ restores light sensitivity and visual behavior.
authors: F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. tdrivas@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors: Theodore G
authors: TG
authors: Drivas
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001766:Blindness / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055351:Retinal Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C009850:azobenzene