Mark D. Rollag, Ph.D.
Visiting Research Scientist
Department of Neuroscience
Education
B.S. Colorado State University, 1971
Ph.D. Colorado State University, 1977
Post-doc. University of Texas,1977-1979
In July of 2004, I retired from my position as Professor of Anatomy Physiology and Genetics at the Uniformed Services University. Since then I have been on a virtual sabbatical, first in the laboratory of Dr. Iggy Provencio and now (Dec 2008) in the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Holt, both at the University of Virginia. I taught Human Gross Anatomy for 25 years prior to my retirement. My current teaching contribution consists of a Grantsmanship course for senior graduate students (and post-doctoral fellows) in the Department of Biology at the University of Virginia. My research career has centered around the photoperiodic control of pineal melatonin production and the mechanisms of melatonin action. The pineal gland serves as a model system for study of photic influences upon sympathetic tone. As a graduate student, working with Gordon Niswender at Colorado State University, I developed a radioimmunoassay for measurement of melatonin concentrations in biological samples. Melatonin has been the primary experimental parameter in most of my research studies. Throughout my career I have had a close association with Dr. Bud Brainard at Jefferson Medical College. Notably, I collaborated with Bud in his characterization of the action spectrum for photic suppression of pineal melatonin secretion in humans. At the Uniformed Services University, I developed the melanophore model system for study of melatonin action and showed that melatonin acts through a pertussis-toxin sensitive receptor. I also used the melanophore model system as a basis for discovery of the photopigment, melanopsin (OPN4). Dr. Provencio and I have since shown that melanopsin expression identifies a population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in the mammalian retina that project to the hypothalamus and tectum. Closing the circle, I have shown that ipRGCs mediate photic regulation of pineal melatonin secretion.
Contact information
Email: MDRollag-UVa@yahoo.com
Office: 434-409-4719
Mailing Address
1721 Old Forge Rd
Charlottesville, Va 22901
Delivery Address
University of Virginia
409 Lane Rd
MR4 Building, Room 5123
Charlottesville, VA 22901
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