Research in Jastrzebska's lab focuses on understanding the structure and function of the visual G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), rhodopsin. In particular, we are interested in delineating of the rhodopsin supramolecular organization and its implications for the binding with the cognate heterotrimeric G protein, transducin. Rhodopsin is not only a fundamental molecule in our visual system that transmits the light signal to the brain, but it also is associated with diseases affecting human eyesight, including retinitis pigmentosa, retinal degeneration and night blindness. Several mutations identified in the rhodopsin gene leading to the retinal degeneration in humans, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), could affect membrane oligomeric organization of this receptor. Therefore, efforts are directed towards understanding the molecular basis of these inherited impairments using biochemical, biophysical and structural methods.
