View Annual Report - Jules Stein Eye Institute

Ned Van eps, PhD
Assistant Research Ophthalmologist
ReseaRch summaRy
The Molecular Mechanism
of Transducin Activation
The conversion of light energy into rod cell impulse
responses requires signal transfer between a photoreceptor,
rhodopsin, and a rod cell protein called
transducin. Dr. Van Eps is studying the structural
changes in transducin that are necessary for signal
relay between the two proteins. The techniques of
site-directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic
resonance are used to follow transducin conforma-
tional changes that are important for its function and
catalytic cycle.
Quan yuan, PhD
Assistant Research Ophthalmologist
ReseaRch summaRy
Biochemistry of Visual Cycle
and Retinal Degeneration
Dr. Yuan’s research focuses on the biochemical mechanism
of key proteins involved in the retinoid visual cycle.
Retinal Pigment Epithelium Specific Protein 65kD
(Rpe65) is one of the most important enzymes in the
visual cycle that converts all-trans-retinyl ester to
11-cis-retinol and regenerates the visual pigment. He
has investigated the biochemistry behind the interaction
of Rpe65 with ER membrane and resolved the puzzle
of Rpe65 membrane association. He is also investigating
the chemical mechanism that regulates Rpe65
enzymatic activity, using chemical and state-of-the-art
instrumental approaches. In other studies, Dr. Yuan
and his colleagues are identifying candidate enzymes
involved in the putative secondary isomerase pathway
in cone dominant species. Another research interest
is elucidating the biochemistry of ABCA4 protein in
Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration.
PROFessIONaL cLINIcaL seRIes
John D. Bartlett, mD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology
Clinical Director, University Ophthalmology Associates
Cataract Surgery
Dr. Bartlett provides clinical supervision to resident
physicians at the University Ophthalmology Associates
and teaches medical students during their ophthalmology
surgical subspecialties clinical rotation. He also
is responsible for the continued development of the
resident cataract surgery educational curriculum.
Gavin G. Bahadur, mD
Associate Physician Diplomate
ReseaRch summaRy
Comprehensive Ophthalmology,
including Cataract, Pterygium,
and Glaucoma Surgery
Dr. Bahadur teaches medical students during their
ophthalmology surgical subspecialties clinical rotation.
He is a full-time comprehensive ophthalmologist at the
Jules Stein Eye Center in Santa Monica.
Laura Bonelli, mD
Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology
ReseaRch summaRy
Neuro-Ophthalmology and
Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Dr. Bonelli provides clinical supervision to resident
physicians at the University Ophthalmology Associates
and teaches medical students during their ophthalmology
surgical subspecialties clinical rotation. She
is collaborating on a study to learn and better understand
giant cell arteritis (GCA), an inflammation of the
lining of the arteries. GCA frequently causes blurred
or double vision and, if left untreated, may result in
loss of vision. She is also a co-investigator for the
National Eye Institute-sponsored study of idiopathic
intracranial hypertension.
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