Pomacea canaliculata eye: a new system to study full camera-type eye regeneration [oral tentacles, cephalic, tentacles, eye stalks and extracted retinas]
Eyes are complex, delicate sensory organs that can be irreversibly damaged by disease or aging. Finding solutions to repair eyes has been difficult because no animal model has been available to study the complete regeneration of a camera-type eye. To study camera-type eye regeneration we can study partial or limited regeneration in vertebrates or complete regeneration of different types of eyes with simpler structure in animals with higher regenerative potential. I discovered an invertebrate organism, the freshwater apple snail Pomacea canaliculata, with camera-type eyes, yet capable of full regeneration after complete amputation. After cellular and molecular study of P. canaliculata eye and their regeneration dynamic, we developed tools to edit genes and test their functions. We found that, like in humans, eye development in these animals is controlled by the expression of the gene pax6. It is now possible to unravel the genetic basis of camera-type eye regeneration, which may provide new opportunities for therapeutic interventions. This work represents the foundation to use P. canaliculata as a valuable research system in the field of regeneration, not only to bring more knowledge about complex organs regeneration, but also to shed light, for the first time, on the process of complete camera-type eye regeneration. Overall design: Pomacea canaliculata amputated oral tentacles, cephalic, tentacles, eye stalks and extracted retinas.