The Neural Basis of Active Sensory Gain Suppression in the Somatosensory System

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PROJECT SUMMARY The candidate: Dr. Manuel Gomez-Ramirez is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) at the University of Rochester, whose overarching goal is to establish cutting-edge research program focused on studying neural circuits and spiking dynamics that mediate object sensing and manipulation with the hands (i.e., haptics). Dr. Gomez-Ramirez completed his Ph.D. at the City College of the City University of New York studying mechanisms of distracter suppression in humans. He transitioned to studying mechanisms of tactile perception in non-human primates using multi-electrode single-unit recordings at the Johns Hopkins University. He conducted a second post-doctoral fellowship at Brown University to learn calcium-based imaging and optogenetic methods in mice. In his new lab, Dr. Gomez-Ramirez aims to incorporate techniques learned in his post-doctoral fellowships to study haptics in a non-human primate model. Research: In this award, Dr. Gomez-Ramirez will study how selective attention controls the sensory gain of neocortical representations encoding distracter stimuli on the hand. He will use cutting-edge electrophysiological and neuromodulation methods (i.e., optogenetics) to determine the neural circuit, and its dynamics, that mediate sensory suppression of distracting tactile inputs. Aim 1 investigates the granularity of attention to modulate sensory responses via targeting of cells’ receptive field (RF) inhibitory and/or excitatory sub-regions. Aim 2 investigates the precision and flexibility of attention to deploy distracter suppression across different somatotopic representations in the somatosensory system. Aim 3 tests the role of layer 5 SST neurons in mediating sensory gain suppression in supragranular layers, the mayor cortical layer of intra- and inter-area communication. Training, Mentors, Collaborators, and Environment: The major research training goals of this award are to gain expertise in (1) Cutting-edge population decoding methods (e.g., state-space analytical methods), and (2) optogenetic stimulation in monkeys to study the how top-down signals regulate local somatosensory cortical circuits representing relevant vs. irrelevant tactile information. This award will also provide key training in grant and manuscript writing, personnel management, as well as engagement in extracurricular activities that will enhance my career and professional development. The K01 scientific mentoring team comprises world-experts in their respective field of research, and have been role models for mentoring and supporting junior faculty. The Tenure Oversight team is composed additional senior faculty that will provide another layer of monitoring to ensure progress in the activities proposed in the tenure plan. Impact and Significance: Data gathered from studies in this award will inform an R01 application focused on studying how top-down signals modulate cross-cortical somatosensory circuits mediating object sensing and manipulation. This award will help provide training on cutting-edge electrophysiological, computational, and genetic-based optical methods to personnel in the Dr. Gomez-Ramirez’s lab.