WELCOME

Dr. Linn is a neurophysiologist whose interests are concerned with the cellular mechanisms involved in visual processing in the vertebrate retina. One major project in lab deals with neuroprotection against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity using an in vitro model of glaucoma.  In these studies, adult pig retinal ganglion cells are isolated from other retinal neurons and cultured under excitotoxic-inducing conditions.  Recently, studies in the lab have identified a neuroprotective agent that prevents excitotoxicity in the ganglion cells.  Current research is identifying and analyzing the mechanisms involved in neuroprotection using a combination of pharmacological, electrophysiological and ELISA methodology. 

Another major project in my lab deals with the regulation and modulation of a voltage-gated calcium channel in a retinal neuron. This channel has been found to play a key role in several aspects of visual processing in vertebrates. Using a combination of electrophysiological techniques, as well as calcium imaging and immunocytochemistry, Dr. Linn uses isolated retinal cells as well as a retinal slice preparation to determine how this channel is modulated and how modulation of the channel affects visual processing. Other projects in the lab examine the role and regulation of agonist-gated receptors on the function of retinal cells. The model system used for these studies is the catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), a well-known model for visual research. Work from my lab is funded by Midwest Eye-Banks and the National Institute of Health.