Understanding the role of convergence at the retinogeniculate synapse

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PROJECT SUMMARY Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the output cells of the retina and consist of over 30 types that encode distinct features of the visual scene. These parallel information streams encoded by different RGC types are routed to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) before being transmitted to the primary visual cortex (V1) to mediate visual perception. While it was long thought that dLGN neurons simply relay information encoded by RGCs to V1, emerging evidence has demonstrated that there is more convergence of RGC inputs onto dLGN neurons than previously appreciated. This raises the question of how information encoded by RGCs is transformed in the dLGN before reaching V1. The overall goal of this proposal is to understand the functional role of retinal convergence in visual processing. Proposed experiments will involve manipulating the activity of specific RGC types to understand how information is integrated in dLGN neurons. This proposal encompass two aims: (1) To assess the contribution of specific RGC types to the response properties of dLGN neurons (2) To determine if visual experience can alter the response properties of dLGN neurons by changing the strength of RGC inputs. This work will provide important insights into how parallel information streams are integrated in the dLGN and have broad implications for understanding the function of convergence in sensory processing. In conducting these experiments, I will learn how to pair optogenetics with in vivo electrophysiological recordings to study the nervous system at the synaptic and circuit levels. Conceptually, these experiments will teach me how to investigate the dynamic properties of neural circuits. The proposed research will be combined with a tailored training plan that will prepare me for a successful independent research career studying the nervous system at different levels.