eLife assessment
This important study advances our understanding of the role energy metabolism, specifically anaerobic glycolysis, plays during development. Convincing genetic and pharmacological evidence demonstrates that glycolytic flux is not only necessary during retinogenesis but also controls the rate of retinal progenitor cell proliferation and photoreceptor maturation. Interesting evidence suggests potential downstream roles for intracellular pH and Wnt/β-catenin signaling; however, more direct evidence is needed to show they are the key mediators of glycolysis. This work is expected to stimulate broad interest and possible future studies investigating the link between metabolism and development in other tissue systems.