Prof. Joseph Corbo - Washington University School of Medicine, USA : "Genetic reprogramming to prevent photoreceptor neurodegeneration"
Speaker: Prof. Joseph Corbo
Washington University School of Medicine
USA
Title: Genetic reprogramming to prevent photoreceptor neurodegeneration
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited blinding disorder characterized by progressive death of rod photoreceptors, followed by secondary cone loss. Our lab is developing a novel genetic reprogramming strategy to prevent photoreceptor degeneration in RP. We hypothesized that converting adult rods into cones, via knockout of the rod photoreceptor determinants, Nrl or Nr2e3, could make the cells resistant to the effects of mutations in rod-specific genes, thereby preventing secondary cone loss. Indeed, we found that acute reprogramming of adult rod photoreceptors into cone-like cells (via AAV-delivered CRISPR-Cas9) does slow progression of photoreceptor death in mouse models of this disease. In my seminar, I will describe these studies as well as our current efforts to identify the downstream mechanisms that contribute to neuroprotection after acute targeting of the Nrl-Nr2e3 axis.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
