The Verriest Lecture: Pathways to color in the eye and brain

In common with the majority of New World monkeys, marmosets show polymorphic color vision by allelic varia-tion of X-chromosome genes encoding opsin pigments in the medium/long wavelength range. Male marmosets are thus obligate dichromats (red-green color blind), whereas females carrying distinct alleles on X chromosomes show one of three trichromatic phenotypes. Marmosets thus represent a natural knock-out system enabling comparison of red-green color vision in dichromatic and trichromatic visual systems. Further, study of short-wave (blue) cone pathways in marmosets has provided insights into primitive visual pathways for depth perception and attention. These investigations represent a parallel line to clinical research on color vision defects that was pioneered in studies by Guy Verreist, whom we honor in this eponymous lecture. (c) 2023 Optica Publishing Group

Automated summary

Like other New World monkeys, marmosets have diverse color vision due to genetic variation in X-chromosome genes. Male marmosets are red-green color blind, while females can have one of three trichromatic phenotypes. Studying marmosets allows comparison between dichromatic and trichromatic visual systems, and insights into depth perception and attention pathways. These studies parallel clinical research on color vision defects pioneered by Guy Verreist.