Faculty Profile |
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Professor Scientific Director of the Ligon Research Center of Vision, Kresge Eye Institute, WSU SOM
Dr. Pan’s current research is mainly focused on the development of optogenetic approaches to cure blindness caused by retinal degeneration. The optogenetic strategy utilizes optogenetic tools to convert surviving inner retinal neurons to photosensitive cells after photoreceptor cell death. Using rAAV vectors to express a microbial rhodopsin, channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), Dr. Pan’s group first demonstrated the feasibility of this strategy in animal models with retinal degeneration. The optogenetic gene therapy developed in Dr. Pan’s laboratory is currently in clinical trials. Dr. Pan’s ongoing research aims at further improving the optogenetic technologies for vision restoration.
Dr. Pan teaches Medical Neuroscience course, which is part of the Year 1 Medical School curriculum. In addition, he is Course Director of Biology of the Eye (ANA 6050, 7055, and BIO 6055, 7055).
Professional Appointments