Sensing Light for Sight and Physiological Control
Schedule
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
15:00 UTC
Michael Tri Do
Assoc. Prof.
Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital
Host: Tubingen Neuro Campus
Recording
Open recording
Event Information
Recording
Available
Host
Tubingen Neuro Campus
Duration
70 minutes
Abstract
Organisms sense light for purposes that range from recognizing objects to synchronizing activity with environmental cycles. What mechanisms serve these diverse tasks? This seminar will examine the specializations of two cell types. First are the foveal cone photoreceptors. These neurons are used by primates to see far greater detail than other mammals, which lack them. How do the biophysical properties of foveal cones support high-acuity vision? Second are the melanopsin retinal ganglion cells, which are conserved among mammals and essential for processes that include regulation of the circadian clock, sleep, and hormone levels. How do these neurons encode light, and is encoding customized for animals of different niches? In pursuing these questions, a broad goal is to learn how various levels of biological organization are shaped to behavioural needs.
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