"Comparing Human and Insect Vision: Surprising Revelations"

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have uncovered significant differences in the production of 11-cis-retinal, a crucial molecule for vision, between humans and insects. Their study challenges traditional assumptions about the similarities and differences of human and insect vision, shedding light on the genetic basis of retinal diseases like Leber congenital amaurosis. By studying the NinaB protein in insects and comparing it to the human RPE65 protein, the team gained insights into the unique processes underlying 11-cis-retinal production, offering potential pathways for addressing genetic mutations that impair vision.