Topic: Electrophysiological responses

Approximately 20M people worldwise suffer from blindness that cannot benefit from recent genetic and neuroprosthesis developments in the retina. Stimulation of the brain visual pathways has been a promising strategy by inducing artificial percepts of light in blind patients through microstimulation using penetrating microelectrodes. Yet, the clinical translation of such a strategy is still challenging due to biological reactions to the implanted device. In this project we aim to build an optogenetic visual prosthesis that interfaces with the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN).First in mice, a bl

One of the most common outdoor air pollutants is Ozone (O3) that forms in the Earth's atmosphere, both naturally and by reactions of man-made air pollutants. A growing set of data have demonstrated a close correlation between exposure to different air pollutants and multiple adverse effects in different organs and tissues, such as lung, cardiovascular system, skin and central nervous system (CNS). We examined in two species of male mice, whether O3 could alters olfactory behavior and cellular properties in the olfactory system. For this purpose, mice were exposed to O3 at a concentration foun

We have recently identified Tusc5 as a Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) marker, specifically expressed in Brn3a+ RGCs, and absent from Brn3aKO retinas. Tusc5 is a transmembrane protein that assists trafficking of Glucose transporter GluT4 in adipocites. GluT4 are continuously recycled through endosomes from and to the plasma membrane and stored in GSVs (Glut4 Storage Vesicles), in an insulin-dependent manner. In adipocites, GluT4 recycling is assisted by Tusc5. In mouse retina, Tusc5 is expressed specifically in a subset of Brn3a+ retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), characterized by small dense “bushy”