RNA-Seq of developing mouse eye (E11.5 and E12.5) comparing optic fissure margins with dorsal optic cup

We sought to identify gene expression signatures confined to the small group of cells at the fissure margins that are involved in OFC. Serial cryosections perpendicular to the optic fissure were prepared from mouse embryonic eyes (n=3 at E11.5 and n=3 at E12.5). The fissure margins and a corresponding control region of dorsal optic cup were isolated using laser capture microdissection. This study design aimed to identify the signature of gene expression in the OFC margins and to identify those genes that were more highly expressed along the ventral (inferior) fissure compared to the opposing dorsal (superior region). Fissure closure is active at E11.5 and complete by E12.5