Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits
NEI - National Eye Institute
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Visual tasks, like reading print or recognizing faces, often require detailed spatial information collected under changing lighting conditions. In the retina, as light intensity varies so do the gain and kinetics of neural responses—a process called adaptation that prevents saturation and supports a consistent perception of contrast. A significant gap in knowledge is how light adaptation functions in the fovea—the central most region of retina responsible for high-acuity vision. Retinal circuit adaptation relies on signal pooling, and therefore adaptation may vary between foveal and peripheral regions that differ in convergence. Additionally, cone photoreceptors in peripheral primate retina are known to be asymmetric in their sensitivity to light increments vs decrements. Therefore, circuit adaptation may differ in ON and OFF visual pathways. The objective of this project is to use distinct primate retinal circuits—foveal vs peripheral and ON vs OFF—to determine how circuits with differing signal to noise ratios modulate gain and kinetics across light conditions. Aim 1 will determine the impact of convergence on properties of retinal circuit adaptation (gain, kinetics, noise, and time course) in the primate foveal vs peripheral midget and parasol pathways, as well as the contribution of synaptic inhibition as a potential mechanism for circuit adaptation to luminance. Aim 2 will determine how asymmetries inherited from cone photoreceptors shape the functional properties of adaptation in the primate ON vs OFF peripheral midget pathway. Given the importance of the fovea for our everyday vision, this work will bridge a gap in our knowledge of how foveal circuits adapt to changes in contrast over varying background luminance, critical for the function of high-acuity vision. These results will positively impact the pursuit towards prosthetic retinal implants that can recapitulate properties of foveal circuits by providing a template for function in diverse retinal circuits. The training plan described in this proposal is designed to enable me to develop the skills necessary to reach my career goal of an independent investigator. By following this plan with the guidance of my sponsor and co-sponsor, I will continue to learn new electrophysiology techniques to build a strong foundation in retinal circuit research. I will develop my writing, communication, teaching, mentoring, networking, and scientific outreach skills. This research will take place at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where the strong intellectual environment and availability of primate tissue from the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center will be leveraged.
Grant Summary
Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits is a NEI - National Eye Institute grant providing up to $83K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2027-11-30 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
Focus Areas
Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $83K
2027-11-30
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits from NEI - National Eye Institute, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NEI - National Eye Institute before the deadline.
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Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits?
Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits is offered by NEI - National Eye Institute and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits provide?
Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits provides up to $83K per award from NEI - National Eye Institute. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits deadline?
Applications for Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits are due 2027-11-30 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NEI - National Eye Institute, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits?
To apply for Light adaptation in regionally and functionally distinct retinal circuits, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NEI - National Eye Institute.