INTRODUCTION: Vision is one of the most vital senses, playing a crucial role in how individuals interpret and interact with their environment. However, with the increasing prevalence of environmental stressors, aging population, and lifestyle-related risk factors, eye-related diseases have expanded dramatically over recent decades. Therefore, the scientific community has devoted considerable effort to developing strategies aimed at preserving or restoring visual function. Yet, despite significant advancements in fields such as gene therapy, retinal prosthetics, and optogenetics, no approach has succeeded in fully reversing the damage. Thus, there is an urgent need for innovative and more efficient solution.

AIM(S): The aim of the study is to amplify a signal after restoring initial photosensitivity. This approach involves the introduction of light-sensitive channels to enable the response to various light stimuli. However, introducing photosensitivity alone may not be sufficient to restore functional vision. Because of that, our work focuses on identifying a suitable signal amplifier that can boost the light-induced response.

METHOD(S): The initial screening of potential amplifying candidates was conducted using in vitro patch-clamp technique under the voltage clamp conditions, allowing precise evaluation of channel activity and response dynamics.

RESULTS: Through voltage-clamp recordings, we identified a promising candidate capable of enhancing light-induced signals at the cellular level.

CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results of in vitro experiments proved that we are able to amplify the response to the light stimulation by combining two approaches - introduction of a light-sensitive channel and an amplifier. The selected candidate will be further analyzed during in vivo experiments.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT: National Science Center, Poland (2019/34/E/NZ5/00434) National Science Center, Poland (2022/47/B/NZ5/03023) The International Centre for Translational Eye Research (FENG.02.01-IP.05-T005/23) project is carried out within the International Research Agendas programme of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund.