Cataracts have many potential risk factors but the molecular mechanisms underlying their development are unclear. Aggregates of lens epithelial cells (LECs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a potentially powerful in vitro tool to tackle this problem, but existing protocols have a number of shortcomings, including the aggregates’ inability to focus light. Michael O'Connor and colleagues describe an efficient system for the derivation of LECs from hPSCs, and the subsequent creation of light-focusing ‘micro-lenses’ (dev155838). The cell surface marker ROR1 allows for sorting and purification of LECs, which are then cultured as spherical aggregates. Over the course of around three weeks, the aggregates develop the ability to focus light, associated with the expression of crystalline genes and anatomical maturation to mimic lens morphology in vivo. The micro-lenses promise to be clinically relevant, as shown by an analysis of Vx-770, an emerging cystic fibrosis drug that has an as-yet-unclear association with cataract formation. The authors find that culturing with high concentrations of Vx-770 reduces the light-focusing ability of micro-lenses. hPSC-derived micro-lenses therefore provide a powerful in vitro model for research into lens disorders, their risk factors and their molecular underpinnings.
Micro-lenses focus on cataract development
Micro-lenses focus on cataract development. Development 1 January 2018; 145 (1): e0101. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Biologists @ 100 - join us in Liverpool in March 2025

We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the Spring Meetings of the BSCB and the BSDB, the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and a DMM programme on antimicrobial resistance. Find out more and register by 28 February 2025 to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues

Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 15 May 2025.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology

In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
In preprints
Did you know that Development publishes perspectives on recent preprints? These articles help our readers navigate the ever-growing preprint literature. We welcome proposals for ‘In preprints’ articles, so please do get in touch if you’d like to contribute.