@article{ETD,
      school = {Ph.D.},
      author = {Garrett, Tavita},
      url = {http://digitalcollections.ohsu.edu/record/43400},
      title = {Profiling of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion  cells using intersectional genetics and single-molecule  fluorescence in situ hybridization },
      publisher = {Oregon Health and Science University},
      abstract = {Understanding the molecular and genetic identity of neuron  types is prerequisite to tractable control
and  investigation of the behavioral relevance of discrete  neuronal types. In the retina, a portion of
retinal  ganglion cells (RGCs), express the light-sensitive protein  melanopsin, allowing them to detect 
light independent of  rod and cone photoreceptors. These intrinsically  photosensitive retinal ganglion 
cells (ipRGCs), detect  light information and transmit the encoded information to  brain areas responsible 
for nonimage forming behaviors,  like circadian entrainment, pupillary light reflex, hormone  regulation, 
and sleep. IpRGCs can be divided into types,  based upon differences in their morphology,  light
responses, and brain projections. Understanding the  specific functions and contributions of ipRGC types 
is  critical to our understanding of physiology. 
This  dissertation describes the investigation and  characterization of a unique population of retinal  
ganglion cells, which are labeled in a glycine transporter  2 transgenic mouse line (Glyt2
Cre) and restricted to the  dorsal retina. The experiments aimed to extend these  findings by employing various advanced 
techniques to label  and characterize these cells, including patch-clamp  electrophysiology, intersectional 
genetic labeling,  single-cell reverse transcriptase PCR, and fluorescence in  situ hybridization (FISH). The 
initial focus was on  validating the expression of Slc6a5 (Glyt2) mRNA in ipRGCs.  The evolution of these 
techniques shifted emphasis toward  combining FISH with transgenic reporter lines to label and  spatially 
resolve RGC subtypes across entire retinas. This  approach was further applied to identify ipRGC subtypes 
in  non-human primate (NHP) retina, providing broader insights  into the molecular identity, spatial 
distribution, and  function of RGC subtypes.},
      number = {ETD},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.6083/bpxhc43400},
      recid = {43400},
      address = {2024-06-15},
}