Xin Duan, PhD

Associate Professor

 

The molecular and cellular basis of neural circuit wiring and rewiring

The Duan lab’s goal is to reconstruct neural circuits and restore normal function in the setting of neuronal injury. Trainees will develop skills in imaging using confocal microscopy, adeno-associated virus (AAV) production, CRISPR mutagenesis, performing mouse ocular injections, isolating of retinal neurons for RNASeq, and measuring the functional properties of retinal ganglion cells through patch clamp retinal electrophysiology. He has mentored 4 postdoctoral fellows, 3 graduate students, 1 medical student, 10 summer students and undergraduate students and 2 visiting international scholars. Drs Duan and Dunn were awarded the 2017-18 Weill Trailblazer award to collaborate on how the retina “talks” to the brain. Scholars interested in circuit assembly and neuronal repair in the central nervous system will find opportunities in the Duan lab.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/xin.duan

 

Research Areas:

Retina or Retinal Diseases, Visual System Development, Glaucoma
 
 
Learn more about UCSF Ophthalmology faculty research.

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Felice Dunn, PhD

Associate Professor

 

Mechanisms of the anatomical and functional changes to the retina following photoreceptor loss

The Dunn lab aims to advance understanding of retinal synaptogenesis and signal pathway regulation that could enable future therapies directed against loss of primary sensory neurons. Our lab currently has projects directed to accomplish the following goals:

1. To determine how specific connections are established at the visual system’s first synapse
2. To determine how rod vs. cone signals are independently regulated within the retinal circuit.
3. Identify the extent and sites of compensation within the retinal circuitry following partial photoreceptor loss.
4. Determine the contributions of partial stimulation, adaptation, and homeostatic plasticity to retinal responses following partial photoreceptor loss.
5. To determine the degree of input loss that induces constructive vs. destructive structural and functional changes within the retinal circuit.

 

To Learn More:

https://profiles.ucsf.edu/felice.dunn
https://dunnlab.ucsf.edu/

 

Research Areas:

Retina or Retinal Diseases, Visual System Development
 
 
Learn more about UCSF Ophthalmology faculty research.

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