Last month, UC Berkeley researchers announced a breakthrough study where they managed to create a new color perception. By using an optical imaging platform named Oz, they were able to stimulate specific photoreceptor cells in the human eye, resulting in the perception of a highly saturated green called "olo." The research was led by Austin Roorda, a professor of optometry and vision science at Berkeley's School of Optometry.
"Ozvision is really directly tied to the book and to the movie where the Emerald City is this unearthly green color," said Roorda. "The intent and the aspiration was to elicit that same kind of response by going from a natural-colored world to a supernatural-colored world by a direct stimulation of these cones."
The discovery holds potential for advancements in understanding and treating eye diseases. Roorda emphasized its implications: "It has enormous potential...to expand the way we see the world around us."
Ren Ng, another researcher involved in the project, posed an initial question that sparked their exploration: “What would happen if we delivered light to thousands of M cones only?” This inquiry led them to produce olo, which only five people have seen so far due to logistical constraints.
Roorda explained how stimulating specific cones allows for this unique color perception: “There’s no light in nature that can only stimulate the M-cones.” He also noted that while perceiving olo was exciting for scientists involved, it might not be as impressive visually for others yet.
Beyond creating new visual experiences, this technology could mimic conditions of degenerative eye diseases by selectively stimulating certain cones. This method allows researchers like Hannah Doyle, who ran experiments with Oz, to better understand and simulate vision loss conditions without needing actual patients with those diseases.
Doyle commented on these simulations: “You could wonder, how would you do looking at an eye chart if you’ve lost 70% of your cones? Can you still read the letters?”
Ultimately, Roorda hopes that these findings will inform future treatments for retinal diseases. "If they do a gene therapy or a stem cell therapy...that patient will have a high quality of life," he stated.
The team’s work suggests that human brains may adapt well to novel sensory inputs such as new colors. Research continues into how this adaptability could influence broader sensory perceptions.
Anne Brice narrated these developments through Berkeley Voices podcast series on transformation at UC Berkeley. The series concluded with this episode but promises more insights in future installments scheduled for release in fall.
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