NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

Oct. 25

Stanford’s Shatz To Give NEI ‘Audacious Goals’ Seminar

Dr. Carla Shatz
Dr. Carla Shatz

Neurobiologist Dr. Carla Shatz will present “Saving the synapse: developmental critical periods and amblyopia” as part of the National Eye Institute Audacious Goals Initiative (AGI) Seminar Series in Neuroregeneration on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater, Bldg. 10. 

Shatz is the Sapp Family provostial professor of biology and neurobiology and the David Starr Jordan director of Bio-X, Stanford University’s interdisciplinary biosciences program. She has devoted her career to understanding the dynamic interplay between genes and the environment that shapes brain circuits and modulates the visual system’s neural plasticity. Among her notable work is the discovery that spontaneous activity of neurons in utero is crucial to establishing precise neural connections in the central nervous system. In addition, she has identified novel genes that regulate synaptic plasticity and pruning during critical periods of development.

The AGI series explores topics relevant to regenerative neuroscience and medicine, with special emphasis on the visual system. The AGI is a sustained effort by NEI to catalyze research toward new therapies for disorders that affect the retina and its connections to the brain. To learn more, visit www.nei.nih.gov/audacious/

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