Frontiers in Pharmacology

1
Proudly Presents the Distinguished Lecture
Series
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Russ Van Gelder, MD, PhD Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Washington
University Medical School "Learning from the
pupils lessons in non-visual ocular
photoreception" In the last few years it has
been realized that the vertebrate eye harbors
unique photoreceptors (non-rod, non-cone) that do
not contribute to vision. These photoreceptors
control phenomena such as the synchronization of
circadian rhythms to daylight, pupillary light
constriction, and light-influenced hormone
release.  I will discuss two novel photopigment
families underlying this, one apparently a novel
opsin, and one a flavin-based pigment.  Clinical
correlations will also be discussed
Contact Elva Diaz, Ph.D email
ediaz_at_ucdavis.edu
Friday May 20, 2005 1000 am Auditorium (Room
1005) in GBSF Refreshments will be served