Research
Emphasis Areas

Research Affiliates

Core Services
Behavioral Science Core

Brain Imaging Core

Cellular Morphology Core

Genetics Core

Infant Primate Research Laboratory Core

Instrument Development Laboratory Core

Krzysztof Palczewski, Ph.D.

Professor of Ophthalmology
Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability
palczews@u.washington.edu
206-543-9074
University of Washington, Box 356485
Seattle, WA 98195-6485

The overall objective of Dr. Palczewski's research is to understand the molecular events initiated by light in photoreceptor cells. His laboratory researches issues related to the visual cycle, especially those relevant to phototransduction, light- and dark-adaptation, and the chemical processing of retinoid cycle intermediates. Many of these issues remain unresolved, including the enzymology of the retinoid cycle, the mechanisms by which these intermediates diffuse within and between the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (or RPE, the pigment cell layer that nourishes the retinal cells), and the dependence of phototransduction reactions on the operation of the cycle.

Knowledge of phototransduction in the retina will enhance understanding of similar events in hormonal signaling, cellular communication and immune regulation, and provide baseline information for further studies of retinal disease processes. One of these conditions, Leber congenital amurosis, is an early-onset (childhood) cone-rod dystrophy. Finding a cure for this devastating disease may restore vision in affected children.

Krzysztof Palczewski's web page

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu