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The GMGI Science Hour with Dr. Roger Hanlon

"Rapid Adaptive Coloration in Cephalopods: Linking Science and Art to Bio-Inspired Materials and Engineering"

Did you know cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus) have the fastest color change known due to direct and neural control of the skin color, pattern, and 3-D texture? During this installment of the Science Hour, Dr. Roger Hanlon of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole will review cephalopod visual perception of natural backgrounds to guide dynamic camouflage, which can be implemented in less than one second even in complex visual backgrounds like coral reefs. He will describe how the central nervous system (CNS) transcribes sensory input into motor output that produces appropriate body patterns for camouflage and communication. Throughout his presentation, Dr. Hanlon will explain the neurophysiology of skin chromatophores and iridophores. Finally, he will show recent progress in the development of bio-inspired materials and engineering that produce rapid color pattern change for a variety of applications. 

Q&A to be moderated by GMGI Donald G. Comb Science Director Dr. Andrea Bodnar.

Apr 28, 2022 07:30 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)