Making Science Visible
Award winning photograph by researcher Ivar Noordstra (Radboudumc) has attracted national attention. [ad.nl]
The image, only 0.3 millimeters in size, shows the development of an eye in a zebrafish embryo and could provide important insights for future restoration of vision.
The photo was awarded the Envision Award 2026, a prize for the most striking scientific image within Radboudumc.
Behind the photo lies important research: zebrafish are able to repair a damaged retina themselves, whereas this is not possible in humans. By studying this mechanism, researchers hope to find clues to enable retinal repair in people as well.
From Zebrafish to Humans
What the image shows is the developing eye of a zebrafish, including the different layers that make up the retina. Notably, zebrafish are able to repair damage to their retina on their own—something that is not possible in humans.
Noordstra’s research investigates the mechanisms behind this regenerative ability. In zebrafish, stem cells are activated to form new retinal cells, whereas similar stem cells in humans remain inactive.
A Long-Term Goal: Restoring Vision
By understanding how this process works in zebrafish, researchers hope to find ways to enable retinal repair in humans as well. This could represent a breakthrough for patients with severe eye diseases, such as Usher syndrome, in which people eventually lose their vision.
This research, part of the Lifelong Vision consortium, contributes to the development of new treatment options for blindness — with the ultimate goal of restoring vision.
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