Visual System
fixate on the center +, you should start to see an illusory green dot that rotates around
Overview: The goals of this course are:
· to understand the basic cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying visual perception
· to critically review fundamental as well as recent published papers on important topics in vision research
· to examine the current understanding and treatment of several blinding diseases
The course will consist of lectures by OHSU faculty and invited guest speakers, and journal club discussions.
Two courses will be offered in alternate years:
2010: Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of the Visual System
Topics to be covered will include:Retina structure and function; Retinal degeneration; Phototransduction: Retinal pathways; Electroretinogram; Neovascularization and diabetic neuropathy; Age-related macular degeneration; Central Vision; Circadian rhythms and melatonin.
2011: Cellular and Developmental Biology of the Visual System
Topics to be covered will include:Eye development in worms, flies and humans; Myopia; Corneal development; Ocular immunology; Uveitis; Lens differentiation; Cataract; Aqueous flow and glaucoma.
2010 Course schedule:
Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of the Visual System
Time: Lectures: Wednesday 1:00–2:00 PM, Literature review: Friday 12:00–1:00 PM
Place: BRB 203, 2 credit hours
Course Directors: Catherine Morgans, Ph.D. (Casey Eye Institute; 8-2675; morgansc@ohsu.edu)
Robert Duvoisin, Ph.D. (Physiology & Pharmacology; 8-2665; duvoisin@ohsu.edu)
Grading: Grades will be determined by a closed book exam (50%) and by the student’s presentation and participation in the journal club discussions (50%).
Oct. 1 Course overview, structure of the eye and visual pathways
Robert Duvoisin, PhD., Associate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology
Oct. 6 & 8 — Retinal degeneration
Jeffrey Karpen, PhD., Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology
Oct. 13 & 15 — Phototransduction
David Farrens, PhD., Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Oct. 20 & 22 — Retina structure and function
Catherine Morgans, PhD., Associate Professor, Casey Eye Institute
Oct. 27 & 29 — Retinal pathways
Robert Duvoisin, PhD., Associate Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology
Nov. 3 & 5 — Electroretinogram
Brett Jeffrey, PhD., Staff Scientist, Oregon National Primate Research Center
Nov 10 & 12 — Macular degeneration
Mark Pennesi, MD.-PhD., Assistant Professor, Casey Eye Institute
Nov. 17 — Neovascularization and diabetic neuropathy
Binoy Appukuttan, PhD., Research Assistant Professor, Casey Eye Institute
Nov. 19 — Circadian rhythms and melatonin
R. Lane Brown, PhD., Assistant Professor, VCAPP, Washington State University
Nov. 24 — Journal Club (no class on Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving weekend)
Robert Duvoisin, PhD., and Catherine Morgans, PhD.
Dec. 1 & 3 — Central Vision
Neal Barmack, PhD., Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology
Dec. 8 — Written test
