Stephen C. Massey, Ph.D.
1978, London University
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Medical School
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
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Stephen C. Massey, Ph.D. 1978, London University The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
Research Interests:
Simply put, the goal of my research is to describe the neuronal circuitry of the retina. The organization of the mammalian retina is certainly complex but it is not chaotic. Although there are many cell types, most adhere to a relatively constant morphology and they are distributed in non-random mosaics. Furthermore, each cell type ramifies at a characteristic depth in the retina and makes a stereotyped set of synaptic connections. In other words, these neurons form a series of local circuits across the retina. The next step is to identify the simplest and commonest of these repeating neural circuits. They are the building blocks of retinal function. Single neurons may be identified by intracellular injection of the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow.
Students may use some of the following techniques: intracellular dye injection, intracellular recording, extracellular recording, neurotransmitter release, glutamate pharmacology, and autoradiography.
Program Affiliation:
Program in Neuroscience