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SUMMARY:Living optical elements in the vertebrate retina - Dr. Jochen Guck
  (Cavendish Laboratory\, University of Cambridge)
DTSTART:20090430T120000Z
DTEND:20090430T130000Z
UID:TALK18158@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:John Mollon
DESCRIPTION:While cells are mostly transparent they are phase objects that
  differ in shape and refractive index. Any image that is projected through
  layers of cells will normally be distorted by refraction\, reflection\, a
 nd scattering. Strangely\, the retina of the vertebrate eye is inverted wi
 th respect to its optical function and light must pass through several tis
 sue layers before reaching the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells. I will
  discuss our recent findings about specific adaptations at both cellular a
 nd nuclear level to improve the light transmission through the retina. The
 se findings ascribe a new function to glial cells\, demonstrate the first 
 nuclear adaptation for an optical function\, and shed new light on the inv
 erted retina as an optical system.
LOCATION:Kenneth Craik Room\, Craik-Marshall Building\, Downing Site
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