The Besharse laboratory is interested in the cell biology of trafficking, ciliogenesis and microtubule-based motors, particularly in photoreceptors. Photoreceptors are particularly interesting because the light sensing organelle is an elaborate sensory cilium. Fundamental mechanisms central to ciliogenesis such as intraflagellar transport are essential for building the light sensing organelle. Similar processes are also essential throughout the life of the cell to support extensive turnover of photosensitive membranes. The laboratory uses both mice and zebrafish as animals models. Transgenic zebrafish are particularly useful for studying photoreceptor trafficking events that are essential for vision.