Mark Jackson

My neurobiology lab uses intracellular and extracellular electrophysiology to study the visual system in crayfish.  In addition to vision, the eyestalk and caudal photoreceptors of the crayfish is a major site for the production of neurohormones and controls a variety of physiological functions such as osmotic regulation, molting, epidermal color patterns and reproduction.  Thus, opportunities exist to study the role of light in numerous physiological conditions.

Currently, I am studying the effect of different colors of light, particularly blue light, on crayfish photoreceptors, specifically in relation to serotonin. In humans, serotonin is important for the treatment of many nervous systems disorders and conditions ranging from depression, anxiety, and brain injury to anesthesia. Blue light, which is predominant in electronic devices, is of great interest in medicine because of its potential effect on circadian rhythms and its role in sleep, stress, and depression.