YINGBIN FU
Yingbin Fu
email: yingbin.fu@hsc.utah.edu 		Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Science

The Fu Lab
Molecular Neuroscience

B.S. 1991, Peking University; Ph.D. 1998, Michigan State University.

RESEARCH:

Photoreceptor transduction and macular degeneration

Dr. Fu received his B.S in Biochemistry at Peking University, Beijing, China. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, where he was a member of the Honor Society for International Scholars. Prior to coming to the Moran Eye Center, Dr. Fu worked as a postdoc fellow at Dr. King-Wai Yau's lab at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Fu is using a dual model system (mouse and Xenopus tropicalis) to study both image-forming and non-image-forming visual functions. X. tropicalis is an emerging exciting new animal model for studying disease and basic mechanisms in neuroscience. Developing X. tropicalis as a high-throughput genetic model for physiological screens is also greatly aided by the X. tropicalis EST project and the recently completed X. tropicalis genome project. In fact, Dr. Fu is establishing the first transgenic X. tropicalis core facility at the state of Utah. There are less than 10 labs in the world working on this model currently. Feel free to google it on the web for more info. For the mouse model, Dr. Fu employs a rapid in vivo electroporation method for both gain- and loss-of-function (RNAi) studies on the pathophysiological mechanisms of retinal degeneration.

The first objective is to perform functional characterization on genetic variants that are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Recently, we have witnessed a new era by researchers in identifying genetic variants associated with many complex diseases. It is more important than ever to validate the role of these variants through functional characterization with animal models. We will take advantage of the genetic power of the mouse model for this study.

The second objective of the Fu lab is to use Xenopus model to dissect systematically how the different phototransduction proteins contribute to the unique properties of cone physiology such as low sensitivity, fast response kinetics, and great light adaptation ability. The experimental methods include a combination of Xenopus genetics, electrophysiology, biochemistry, cell biology, and animal behavior.

The third objective of the Fu Lab focuses on the phototransduction pathway of the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). In mammals, recent evidence indicates that non-image- forming vision is mediated not only by rods and cones, but also by the novel ipRGCs which may use an invertebrate-like signal transduction pathway. Dr. Fu will use mouse models to explore the underlying transduction mechanism.

Selected Publications

Fu, Y., Kefalov, V., Luo, D. G., Xie, T., Yau, K. W. (2008) Quantal noise from human red cone pigment. Nature Neuroscience, 11:565-571.

Fu, Y., and Yau, K.W. (2007) Phototransduction in mouse rods and cones. Pflugers Arch. - Eur J of Physiol., 454:805-819.

Imai, H., Kefalov, V., Sakurai, K., Chisaka, O., Ueda, Y., Onishi, A., Morizumi, T., Fu, Y., Ichikawa, K., Nakatani, K., et al. (2007) Molecular properties of rhodopsin and rod function. J Biol Chem., 282:6677-6684.

Fu, Y., Zhong, H., Wang, M.H., Luo, D.G., Liao, H.W., Maeda, H., Hattar, S., Frishman, L.J., and Yau, K.W. (2005) Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells detect light with a vitamin A-based photopigment, melanopsin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 102(29):10339-10244.

Fu, Y., Liao, H.W., Do, M.T., and Yau, K.W. (2005) Non-image-forming ocular photoreception in vertebrates. Curr Opin Neurobiol., 15(4):415-422.

Kefalov, V.*, Fu, Y.*, Marsh-Armstrong, N., and Yau, K.W. (2003) Role of visual pigment properties in rod and cone phototransduction. Nature, 425:526-531. *Equal contribution co-first authors.

Fu Lab Job Posting

A postdoc position is open for candidates motivated for high-quality research. Experience with molecular/cellular biology, genetics or biochemistry is preferred. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and names of three references to Dr. Yingbin Fu at e-mail: Yingbin.Fu@hsc.utah.edu

Lab Address: 65 Mario Capecchi Dr., JMEC S5867, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Contact: 801-213-3436 (office), 801-213-2738 (lab), 801-587-8314 (fax)

Neuroscience Home Page Contact us Search