Visual Physiology
Steven Nusinowitz, PhD, Director
Contact Information
Phone: (310) 825-5798
Fax: (310) 206-3965
Email: [email protected]
Location Address
Stein Eye Institute
100 Stein Plaza, Room A-112
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Research Areas
Mechanisms of Retinal Degeneration
Genetics of Eye Disease
Visual Physiology and Psychophysics
Description
Dr. Nusinowitz's primary research interest is the study of the sites and mechanisms of disease action in inherited eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa. Using electrophysiological and psychophysical techniques, he is evaluating patients with diseases of the retina and known genetic abnormalities to better understand how specific gene mutations result in the wide spectrum of disease expression. In the laboratory, he is studying mice with retinal disease in order to identify new candidate genes that may be involved in human disease. Additionally, he is studying the natural history of disease progression and developing models that can be used to test therapeutic interventions.
Representative Publications
Ridder W, Azimi A, Heckenlively JR, Nusinowitz S. Cataractogenesis in anesthetized mice. Curr Eye Res 2002;75(3):365-70.
Nusinowitz S, Nguyen L, Farber D, Danciger M. Electroretinographic Evidence for reduced phototransduction gain and slowed photoreceptor recovery in albino mice with a MET450 variant in RPE65. Exp Eye Res 2002;77(5):627-38.
Ridder WH 3rd, Nusinowitz S. The visual evoked potential in the mouse: origins and response characteristics. Vis Res 2006;46(6-7):902-13.
Rakoczy E, Yu MJ, Nusinowitz S, Chang B, Heckenlively JR. Mouse models of age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2006;82(5):741-52.
Chang B, Hawes NL, Hurd RE, Wang J, Howell D, Davisson MT, Roderick TH, Nusinowitz S, Heckenlively JR. Mouse models of ocular diseases. Vis Neurosci 2005;22(5):587-93.
Grants
Foundation Fighting Blindness 2005-2010
Stein-Oppenheimer Research Grant 2006
Vision for Children Foundation 2006
Karl Kirschgessner Award 2005-2006
Available Positions
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Staff Research Assistant
Faculty Scientists
Research faculty members at the Stein Eye Institute represent a variety of disciplines and include vision scientists, ophthalmologists and optometrists. They share outstanding credentials in their respective fields, an interest in scientific study and a commonalty of purpose—to improve the outcome for patients with eye and visual system disease.
Each year faculty members participate in continuing investigations, present material at scientific meetings, and make regular contributions to professional journals. Their broad range of associations, interests and skills promotes and enhances the Institute’s programs in both laboratory-based and patient-based research.