Ophthalmology podcasts

Nature reporters explain why record ocean temperatures associated with an intensifying El Niño could weaken marine carbon sinks. The episode also covers radiation protection for astronauts, thunder-based underground geology and experimental mitochondrial injections for vision loss.

Thomas Reh and Juliette Wohlschlegel discuss their research on converting human Müller glia into retinal neurons with host Martin Pera. The conversation traces how regeneration in fish and frogs motivated experiments in mammals, then examines genetic reprogramming of cells derived from human fetal tissue or retinal organoids. Their study of ASCL1-induced neurogenesis provides a basis for discussing the remaining biological and translational challenges of retinal regeneration. The work concerns experimental cellular models and does not establish a treatment for vision loss.

Robert J Johnston joins Jonathan McCrea to explain retinal organoids and how researchers grow these laboratory models of the retina. Drawing on his work at Johns Hopkins University, Johnston discusses what the models can offer basic and translational research, how industry views their use, and whether they could become a standard approach for studying retinal disease. The conversation examines the research potential of lab-grown retinas rather than presenting them as an established treatment.