Ching-Kang Jason Chen, PhD, FARVO

We study basic mechanisms of mammalian visual sensation at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels. The Chen Laboratory is specialized in the roles of heterotrimeric G-protein signaling in the mouse visual system. We have identified and characterized genes such as G protein-couple receptor kinase 1 (GRK1), Regulators of G-protein signaling 9 (RGS9), and G protein b subunit 5 (Gb5) which are indispensable for timely recovery of retinal rod and cone photoreceptors, as well as determined the deactivation of visual transducin as the rate-limiting step in the recovery phase of rod and cone phototransduction. We also figured out the roles of Gb5 and its obligate partners R7 subgroup of RGS proteins including RGS7 and RGS11 at the first visual synapse in retinal depolarizing bipolar cells.

We currently collaborate with in-house and outside investigators to examine: 1) the mechanism and biological function of a novel phototransduction pathway called TMIP (transducin- and melanopsin-independent phototransduction) in the mouse retina; 2) the role of wide-field amacrine cells in retinal function including the TH2-AC, and the TBR2-expressing displaced amacrine cells WAC-1 and WAC-2; 3) the role of trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG) in the retina; 4) the function and mechanisms of TBR2 in retinal ganglion cell development; 5) the mechanisms and consequence of photoreceptor degeneration; and 6) comprehensive integration of retinal neuron classification using intrinsic membrane properties, dendritic morphologies, genetic marking, light response profiles, and transcriptome.

By focusing on basic mechanisms underlying vision, we aim to understand blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and Oguchi disease, as well as develop novel therapeutic and interventional modalities. Our work is supported by the National Eye Institute since 2002 and private foundations such as the Retina Research Foundation