Manchester Neuroscience Seminar Series - Associate Professor Lane Brown from Washington State University.
| Dates: | 18 September 2025 |
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| Times: | 14:00 - 15:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health |
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| Who is it for: | University staff |
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| Speaker: | Lane Brown |
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Please join the Division of Neuroscience, Thursday 18 September 2025, for the Manchester Neuroscience Seminar Series, the speaker will be Associate Professor Lane Brown from Washington State University.
This seminar will be hosted by Professor Rob Lucas.
Talk title: “Unexpected liasons: interactive neuromodulation of ipRGCs by dopamine and adenosine”
Abstract: Light has a profound effect on human physiology and behavior. In mammals, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) play a key role in the regulation of fundamental light-dependent behaviors. When these photoreceptors were discovered about 25 years ago, they were thought to be a relatively homogenous population with the straightforward functions of synchronizing the circadian clock to the solar cycle and driving pupil constriction. Over the past 10 years however, ipRGCs have been shown to be a diverse population with at least six subtypes (M1-6) in mice, which differ in melanopsin (Opn4) expression, dendritic stratification, firing patterns, central projection targets, and even phototransduction cascades. This diversity is now known to underlie many subconscious responses to light, including the regulation of sleep, mood, memory and learning, the sympathetic nervous system, and metabolism. Today’s seminar will discuss two topics: first, how we are using intersectional genetic techniques in mice to target and manipulate specific ipRGC subtypes to better understand their unique functional contributions. And, second, how a complex interplay between the retinal neuromodulators, dopamine and adenosine, contributes to the signaling output of the M1 subtype of ipRGCs.
All are welcome
Speaker
Lane Brown
Role: Professor
Organisation: Washington State University
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
Michael Smith Lecture Theatre
Michael Smith Building
Manchester
