Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhD, has been named the first recipient of the Ludwig von Sallman Clinician-scientist Award, presented by the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research (AFER) to a clinician-scientist under age 40.
Deisseroth, associate professor of Bioengineering and Psychiatry at Stanford University, is being recognized for his ground breaking work in developing and using optogenetic approaches to study neuronal function.
"It is an honor to recognize the far-reaching impact Dr. Deisseroth's technique has had on ophthalmology and vision science, said Gary W. Abrams, MD, FARVO, chair, AFER Board of Governors. "We have great expectations that his pioneering work will lead to real advances in understanding basic retinal function and the restoration of vision in the future."
The optogenetic technique is an experimental approach based on the insertion of opsins - light sensitive molecules in photoreceptors as well as many other organisms, including plants and algae - into cells, allowing for fine control of the cell upon flashing light. The novel approach is being used by scientists around the world to probe how the brain works and is gaining acceptance by the science community as critical to the development of other major biological techniques, including PCR and patch-clamp electrophysiology.
A published author of more than 70 papers, Deisseroth has been widely recognized with honors and awards during his career. He earned his bachelor's degree from Harvard University in 1992 and received his PhD in 1998 and MD in 2000 from Stanford.
Deisseroth will present a lecture at a minisymposium, "Optogenetics, Visual Function and Restoration," during the 2011 Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Monday, May 2 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
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