Detailed Biography:

Dr. Hall is studying biochemical abnormalities that result in retinal degeneration in the RCS strain of rat. By means of tissue culture techniques, the metabolism of isolated pigment epithelium from normal rats is compared with that from the RCS strain. The normal interaction between photoreceptor cell outer segments and pigment epithelium is investigated at the molecular level and compared with that which occurs during degeneration of the rod outer segments. Since survival and normal functioning of the photoreceptor cells are dependent on their interaction with the pigment epithelium, these studies should further and understanding of the causes of certain retinal degenerations.