Friday Lunch Seminar (English)

January 21, 2022
12:15 〜 13:00
(On-line)
Apply for participation from here by noon, January 20.
You will be notified of participation details by e-mail on January 20.

Talk Title: Contribution of melanopsin cells to brightness perception

Sei-ichi Tsujimura
Professor
Faculty of Design and Architecture
Nagoya City University

Host: Takashi Fujikado

Abstract:
A new photoreceptor in the retina was discovered around 2000. The photoreceptor is called ipRGC (intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell). The cells contain a photopigment called melanopsin, which has been reported to contribute to circadian rhythms and the pupillary light reflex. It has been also reported to contribute to mood, migraine pain and glare perception. Previous studies have used genetically modified animals to investigate the function of the cells in the brain. On the other hand, there are few studies on humans. In this talk, we will introduce the studies that have examined the effects of melanopsin cells on brightness perception in human and outline the research questions for future research.

CV: Professor Sei-ichi Tsujimura

Professor Tsujimura’s research work is concerned primarily with the analysis and understanding of human vision and has been carried out mainly through psychophysical investigations, non-invasive measurement of involuntary signals and mathematical modelling of visual mechanisms. Recently, he has focused more on the investigation of a functional role of melanopsin cells (ipRGC) in the brain, which play an important role for adjustment of circadian rhythm, brightness perception, pupillary light reflex, mood and working memory.

Professional experience
・ Professor in Nagoya City University, Japan
・ Professor in Kagoshima University, Japan
・ Associate Professor in Kagoshima University Japan
・ Research assistant in Max Plank Institute for brain research, Germany
(Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main)
・ Research Fellow in Department of Clinical Sciences, SUNY College of Optometry
・ Postdoctoral research fellow in Aston University in UK
・Associate researcher in Tsukuba University in Japan
・ Engineer of digital signal processing, Toshiba Co., Japan
・ National Defense Academy, Japan

Qualifications
Ph.D.: University of Tsukuba, March 1999
MA: Engineering: University of Tsukuba, March 1995

Awards (English)
Loewenfeld lecture (Key-note speech), International Pupil Colloquium, Morges, Switzerland, 2017