The role of distinct cellular compartments in visual processing by mixed-input bipolar cells

• Grant number: 12/01105-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: August 16, 2012
• End date: August 26, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Physiological Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Christina Joselevitch
• Grantee: Christina Joselevitch
• Visiting researcher: Henrique Von Gersdorff
• Visiting researcher institution: Oregon Health & Science University, United States
• Host Institution: Instituto de Psicologia (IP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/16469-0 - Vision and cellular communication in the retina: the role of mixed-input bipolar cells, AP.JP

Abstract

Henrique von Gersdorff is Professor at the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology of the Oregon Health & Science University and Senior Scientist at the Vollum Institute, Portland, OR (EUA). He has extensive experience in the study of cellular communication in the nervous system in general and in sensory systems, specifically. Besides being a prominent name in basic research, having studied with a Nobel Prize in Medicine (Erwin Neher) and having published important articles in high impact journals, Professor von Gersdorff is committed to teaching Brazilian students and collaborating with Brazilian research groups. He is Brazilian himself, having obtained his Bachelor´s Degree in Physics at UFRJ. His research line coincides with the one we are currently starting with the help of FAPESP at the Psychology Institute, Universidade de São Paulo (Young Researchers in Emerging Institutions Grant, 2010/16469-0): both laboratories are dedicated to the study of cellular communication at the level of retinal mixed-input bipolar cells as a means to understand coding strategies in the retina and elsewhere in the nervous system. This intersection of interests makes this visit especially strategic for data discussion and the concretization of future collaboration plans. (AU)