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About Our Lab

The Johnsen Lab studies aspects of visual ecology. Recent and current projects include:

· The propagation of bioluminescent signals underwater

· The visibility of aquatic animals

· The relationship between tissue ultrastructure and transparency

· The visual ecology of polarization vision

· The effect of ultraviolet vision on predation

· Optical sampling techniques for zooplankton

In addition, we do collaborative work on magnetoreception with Dr. Ken Lohmann at UNC, examining the following:

· The anatomical basis of magnetoreception
· The feasibility of navigation based on the earth's geomagnetic parameters

The guiding principle is that the species and methods used must serve the central question. Methods used include: protein biochemistry, electron and light microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, behavioral studies, net sampling, submersible operations, SCUBA diving, optical measurements of tissue and environment, and mathematical modeling. Marine pelagic species have been a strong focus, but benthic, freshwater and terrestrial systems have also been examined.

Duke University | Biological Sciences Bldg, Room 301 | (919) 660-7321 | sjohnsen@duke.edu