A5059374971- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Ion channel regulation and function
- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
- Phosphodiesterase function and regulation
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Connexins and lens biology
- Membrane-based Ion Separation Techniques
- Electrochemical Analysis and Applications
Johns Hopkins University
2015-2024
Johns Hopkins Medicine
2015-2024
H. L. Snyder Medical Foundation
2010-2014
Sensory (United States)
2014
Japan Science and Technology Agency
2006
Kyoto University
2006
Rockefeller University
2006
Ophthalmology Associates (United States)
2006
University of Houston
2005
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
1995-2004
The primary circadian pacemaker, in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of mammalian brain, is photoentrained by light signals from eyes through retinohypothalamic tract. Retinal rod and cone cells are not required for photoentrainment. Recent evidence suggests that entraining photoreceptors retinal ganglion (RGCs) project to SCN. visual pigment this photoreceptor may be melanopsin, an opsin-like protein whose coding messenger RNA found a subset RGCs. By cloning rat melanopsin generating...
1. A suction electrode was used to record the membrane current of single rod outer segments in pieces toad retina. During dim illumination showed pronounced fluctuations. 2. Amplitude histograms responses flashes fixed intensity exhibited two discrete peaks, one at 0 pA and near 1 pA, suggesting that response quantized. By setting a criterion amplitude level, flash could be classed as 'failures' (no response) or 'successes' (at least quantal event). 3. The variation fraction successes with...
Abstract A rare type of ganglion cell in mammalian retina is directly photosensitive. These novel retinal photoreceptors express the photopigment melanopsin. They send axons to suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), intergeniculate leaflet (IGL), and olivary pretectal (OPN), thereby contributing photic synchronization circadian rhythms pupillary light reflex. Here, we sought characterize more fully projections these cells brain. By targeting tau‐lacZ melanopsin gene locus mice, that would normally...
In the mammalian retina, a small subset of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are intrinsically photosensitive, express opsin-like protein melanopsin, and project to brain nuclei involved in non–image-forming visual functions such as pupillary light reflex circadian photoentrainment. We report that mice with melanopsin gene ablated, RGCs retrograde-labeled from suprachiasmatic were no longer although their number, morphology, projections unchanged. These animals showed indistinguishable wild type...
The recognition of odorants by olfactory receptors represents the first stage in odor discrimination. Here, we report generation an expression library containing a large and diverse repertoire mouse receptor sequences transmembrane II–VII region. From this library, 80 chimeric were tested against 26 after transfection into HEK-293 cells. Three identified to respond micromolecular concentrations carvone, (−) citronellal, limonene, respectively. We also found that I7 receptor, unlike rat...
Vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD/Best disease; MIM*153700) is an early-onset autosomal dominant disorder in which accumulation of lipofuscin-like material within and beneath the retinal pigment epithelium associated with a progressive loss central vision. Bestrophin, protein product VMD gene, has four predicted transmembrane domains. There are multiple bestrophin homologues human, Drosophila , Caenorhabditis elegans genomes, but no function previously been ascribed to these proteins, they...
1. Outer segments of individual rods in the retina toad, Bufo marinus, were drawn into a glass pipette to record membrane current. 2. Light flashes evoked transient outward currents. The peak response amplitude was related flash intensity by Michaelis equation with half‐saturating about 1 photon mum‐2. 3. saturating ranged up 27 pA and corresponded closely complete suppression steady inward current present darkness. 4. For given cell varied linearly length outer segment within pipette. This...
1. The spread of activation and background desensitization in rods was studied by recording membrane current from single outer segments pieces isolated toad retina. 2. Flash sensitivity changed slightly along the segment, falling about 30% base to tip. 3. When only distal half an segment pipette, illumination unrecorded part elicited little or no photocurrent at recorded part, indicating that a photoisomerization does not cause entire segment. 4. With diffuse fully drawn into...
Glaucoma, a major cause of blindness worldwide, is neurodegenerative optic neuropathy in which vision loss caused by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). To better define the pathways mediating RGC death and identify targets for development neuroprotective drugs, we developed high-throughput RNA interference screen with primary RGCs used it to full mouse kinome. The identified dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) as key target RGCs. In cultured RGCs, DLK signaling both necessary sufficient cell death....