The O'Tousa Lab

Understanding the process of vision in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is the overarching theme of our research efforts. Drosophila is a premier research organism allowing integration of genetic, molecular, cellular, physiological, and behavioral approaches to study vision and light-related responses. In addition, the Drosophila eye is well suited for the study of the molecular pathways and cell-cell communication systems underlying key developmental processes. In both instances, the studies benefit from more than forty years of study by dozens of laboratories to produce a detailed picture of the eye's development and the molecular pathways responsible for the visual response.

My research group uses a wide range of molecular, biochemical, and cellular methods to analyze genes responsible for normal visual function and preventing the process of photoreceptor degeneration. Our work benefits from the use of innovative genetic tools available in Drosophila. We also make extensive use of light, electron, and confocal microscopy to analyze the cellular consequences of mutations critical to retinal function. Recently, we have applied these approaches to investigate visual capacity and function of other insects, notably including several mosquito species that carry pervasive and devastating tropical diseases. Please explore the first three entries to explore the major current projects in the laboratory on Drosophila phototransduction, genetic triggers of retinal degeneration, and rhodopsin expression in mosquitoes.

I seek post-doctoral fellows and graduate students wanting to join my research group and participate in our research on neurobiology, degenerative diseases, and visual mediated behaviors. Please direct all inquiries to: jotousa@nd.edu. Research is currently funded by a grant from the National Eye Institute (2R01 EY06808).