Lab Introduction & Major Research Interests
In mammals, a special cell in the retina named intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) express photopigment melanopsin and are main conduit for many non-image forming functions such as circadian photoentrainment and pupillary light reflex. They are also involved in many other physiological functions such as sleep, learning and memory, emotion and possibly development of visual system. By using various genetic mouse lines, we want to exam the circuitry and function of these ipRGCs. Specifically, we want to know 1) how does the light control the circadian system via ipRGC; 2) the interaction of light effect and circadian rhythm effect on our physiological functions; 3) how could disrupted light dark cycle influence the body weight and gut microbiota; 4) how does light modulate social behavior through ipRGC
Keywords: melanopsin, ipRGC, retina, circadian
Recent Representative Publication ( * corresponding author)
1. Lin M-S Lin, Liao P-Y, Chen H-M, Chang C-P, Chen S-K, Chern Y-J. Degeneration of ipRGCs in mouse models of Huntington’s Disease disrupts non-image forming behaviors prior to motor impairment. J. Neurosci. 20 Feb 2019, 39(8) 1505-1524
2. Fan M-Y, Chang Y-T, Chen C-L, Wang W-H, Pan M-K, Chen W-P, Huang W-Y, Xug Z, Huang H-E, Cheng T, Plikush MV, Chen S-K, Lin S-J. External light activates hair follicle stem cells through eyes via an ipRGC–SCN–sympathetic neural pathway. PNAS. 2018 Jul 17;115(29)
3. Prigge CL, Yeh P-T, Liou N-F, Lee C-C, You S-F, Liu L-L, McNeill DS, Chew KS, Hattar S, Chen S-K, and Zhang D-Q. M1 ipRGCs Influence Visual Function through Retrograde Signaling in the Retina. J. Neurosci. 2016; 36(27):7184 -7197.
4. Fernandez DC*, Chang YT*, Hattar S, Chen S-K. Architecture of retinal projections to the central circadian pacemaker. PNAS. 2016; 113(21):6047-52.
5. Joo HR1, Peterson BB, Dacey DM, Hattar S, Chen S-K. Recurrent axon collaterals of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Vis Neurosci. 2013; 30(4):175-82.
6. Chen S-K*, McNeill DS*, Chew KS*, Keeley PW, Ecker JL, Mao B, Pahlberg J, Sampath AP, Reese BE, Kuruvilla R, Hattar S. Bax regulates cell spacing and rod/cone signaling through ipRGCs. Neuron. 2013 6; 77(3):503-15.
7. Chen S-K, Badea TC, Hattar S. Circadian rhythm entrainment and pupillary light response mediated by distinct populations of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Nature. 2011; 476: 92-95