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Wang Laboratory

Synaptic Basis of Retinal Function and Disease

Our lab is interested in synapse, a specialized structure connecting cells in the nervous system. We use the mammalian retina as a model to study the molecular mechanism through which visual information is properly propagated and accurately processed. Particularly, our research focuses on how synaptic connectivity and function of retinal neurons are established, modulated and diversified through the concerted interplay among different types of synaptic molecules and how disruption of their signaling and interactome leads to retinal circuit malfunction and visual deficit. We use transgenic mouse models combined with CRISPR/Cas based in vivo gene editing to achieve targeted gene perturbation. We use both in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology to record population and single cell activity and use both electron and light microscopy to assess structural changes at cellular and subcellular level. We also apply unbiased proteomic and transcriptomic strategies combined with cell/molecular biology and biochemistry to identify signaling pathways and interactomes.

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