Dr. Yong Rao, Professor

Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Biography

Dr. Yong Rao is a professor at the Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. He obtained Ph. D. degree in 1994 from Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Canada. He then did postdoctoral studies with Dr. S. Lawrence Zipursky in 1994 at University of California, Los Angeles, USA, where he studied neural network formation. After joining the Centre for Research in Neuroscience at McGill University in 1998, his research group has been studying the molecular mechanisms regulating visual circuit development and function in Drosophila. His research led to the identification of several key genes involved in those processes, which were published in prestigious scientific journals such as Cell, Neuron, PNAS, Journal of Neuroscience and Development. Dr. Rao has received a number of awards, such as Young Investigator award from American Peptide Society, CIHR New Investigator Award, Tom Hum award, and Chercheurs-Boursiers (senior level) from Le Fonds de la Recherche en Sante′ de Que′bec.

Topic

Dissection of the Mechanisms Controlling Visual Circuit Development and Function in Drosophila

Abstract

Normal brain function relies on proper formation and maintenance of neural networks. My lab has chosen the powerful genetic model system Drosophila melanogaster to study the molecular mechanisms controlling visual circuit development and function, which led to the identification of a number of important and evolutionarily conserved genes. We are currently studying: 1) Coordinated development of neurons and glia in the developing retina; and 2) Control of circuit function and maintenance in the adult visual system. Our recent studies reveal for the first time that insulin-like peptides released from sub-retinal glia stimulate eye precursor cells in the retina to regulate the timing of photoreceptor differentiation. We also identify Neurexin and Neuroligin as key players in mediating photoreceptor synaptic function and the maintenance of photoreceptor subtype identity in the adult retina. These studies are not only essential for understanding the fundamental biology of neuronal circuit development and function, but also provide invaluable clues for the development of new therapeutic strategies aiming to regenerate functional circuits after nerve injuries in patients.