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Circuit formation in the visual centers

Award Number: R01EY013012
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/1999
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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Circuit formation in the visual centers - Visual information detected by the retina is sent for further processing to deeper layers of the visual centers that feed into specialized behavior circuits. Much is known about how visual centers and local circuits function, but we do not understand how the many cell types that compose them are generated and how these circuits assemble and are coordinated between brain regions. We study the simplified, yet highly performing visual system of Drosophila for which we have obtained a deep understanding of neural diversity, mechanisms that also apply to mammalian neurogenesis. In a separately funded grant, we have generated a very large dataset where we have identified through single cell mRNA sequencing the individual transcriptome of most (169 neural types) neurons and glia in the four optic lobe ganglia, lamina, medulla, lobula and lobula plate, through six development stages starting when the neurons are first generated. This represents a huge resource that will allow us to identify the molecular pathways involved in the processes studied here. In the current proposal, we will define how the circuits formed by optic lobe neurons are assembled and how development of the different optic lobe neuropils is synchronized: Aim 1. Retinotopic projection of photoreceptors to the lamina and medulla. We will define the role of the lamina in the establishment of retinotopy in the medulla and what guides photoreceptors and lamina neurons to their retinotopic location. We will then identify the molecular guidance pathways involved in pathfinding in lamina and medulla, and determine the potential role of pioneer neurons that might guide retinotopy of the other neurons. Aim 2 Timing of differentiation and layer formation in the medulla neuropil. Medulla neurons are born from the same neural progenitors in a sequential order, a fundamental mechanism of 'temporal patterning'. We will test the model that temporal patterning allows medulla neurons to progressively innervate each layer of the lobula and of the medulla and we will define the molecular mechanisms synchronizing birth order and layer formation. Aim 3: Development of output neurons from the lobula: Visual features and optic glomeruli. Signals from the medulla are conveyed to the lobula and are then passed on to Lobula Columnar Neurons (LCNs) that connect to 'optic glomeruli' that control behavior. We will study how ~20 subtypes of LCNs connect to different layers of the lobula and to specific glomeruli in the central brain and will define the molecular mechanisms of their specific targeting. Aim 4. Building the broad-field motion pathway. Motion is computed by neurons that compare the outputs of upstream neurons in a specific orientation. We will investigate the developmental programs that instruct the dendrite orientation of the first orientation-selective neurons (T4 and T5) and how they each project to one of the 4 layers of the lobula plate that each detects motion in one of 4 cardinal directions. This study will provide fundamental insights into the coordination of various elements of a simple and amenable visual system. Our findings will not only provide novel fundamental concepts for the development of circuits for sensory processing, but will also contribute general concepts applicable to circuit formation in vertebrates.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2024	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S FL 11	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	26	1/6/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $396,250 )
2024	2024	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	26	7/24/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$396,250
														Subtotal = $396,250

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $396,250 )
2023	2023	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	25	7/10/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$396,250
														Subtotal = $396,250

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $384,364 )
2022	2022	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	24	7/1/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$384,364
														Subtotal = $384,364

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $384,363 )
2021	2021	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	002	23	6/18/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$384,363
2021	2020	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	001	22	5/29/2021	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$24,303
2021	2019	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	21	5/29/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$24,303
														Subtotal = $384,363

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $396,250 )
2020	2020	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	22	7/6/2020	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$396,250
														Subtotal = $396,250

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $396,250 )
2019	2019	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	21	7/26/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$396,250
														Subtotal = $396,250

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $396,250 )
2018	2018	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	20	7/30/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$396,250
														Subtotal = $396,250

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $396,250 )
2017	2017	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	002	19	8/10/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$396,250
2017	2016	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	001	18	2/4/2017	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$24,303
2017	2015	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	17	2/4/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$24,303
														Subtotal = $396,250

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $396,250 )
2016	2016	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	18	8/24/2016	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$396,250
														Subtotal = $396,250

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $386,596 )
2015	2015	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	17	8/14/2015	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$386,596
														Subtotal = $386,596

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $384,083 )
2014	2014	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	16	8/26/2014	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$384,083
														Subtotal = $384,083

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $370,021 )
2013	2013	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	15	8/26/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$370,021
														Subtotal = $370,021

Issue Date FY: 2012 ( Subtotal = $388,283 )
2012	2012	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	14	8/14/2012	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$388,283
														Subtotal = $388,283

Issue Date FY: 2011 ( Subtotal = $332,640 )
2011	2011	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	13	8/17/2011	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$332,640
														Subtotal = $332,640

Issue Date FY: 2010 ( Subtotal = $343,035 )
2010	2010	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	12	8/18/2010	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$343,035
														Subtotal = $343,035

Issue Date FY: 2009 ( Subtotal = $346,500 )
2009	2009	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	11	8/20/2009	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$346,500
														Subtotal = $346,500

Issue Date FY: 2008 ( Subtotal = $346,500 )
2008	2008	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	SPONSORED PGMS ACCOUNTING	NEW YORK	NY	10003	NEW YORK	USA	Vision Research	000	10	8/14/2008	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$346,500
														Subtotal = $346,500

Issue Date FY: 2007 ( Subtotal = $365,628 )
2007	2007	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	726 BROADWAY, 2ND FL ROOM 271	NEW YORK-NEW YORK	NY	10003		USA	Vision Research	000	9	8/9/2007	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$365,628
														Subtotal = $365,628

Issue Date FY: 2006 ( Subtotal = $367,911 )
2006	2006	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	726 BROADWAY, 2ND FL ROOM 271	NEW YORK-NEW YORK	NY	10003		USA	Vision Research	000	8	8/24/2006	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$367,911
														Subtotal = $367,911

Issue Date FY: 2005 ( Subtotal = $376,985 )
2005	2005	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	726 BROADWAY, 2ND FL ROOM 271	NEW YORK-NEW YORK	NY	10003		USA	Vision Research	000	7	8/26/2005	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$376,985
														Subtotal = $376,985

Issue Date FY: 2004 ( Subtotal = $377,197 )
2004	2004	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	726 BROADWAY, 2ND FL ROOM 271	NEW YORK-NEW YORK	NY	10003		USA	Vision Research	000	6	8/16/2004	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$377,197
														Subtotal = $377,197

Issue Date FY: 2003 ( Subtotal = $377,401 )
2003	2003	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	726 BROADWAY, 2ND FL ROOM 271	NEW YORK-NEW YORK	NY	10003		USA	Vision Research	000	5	8/25/2003	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$377,401
														Subtotal = $377,401

Grand Total All Awards = $9,671,705

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Circuit formation in the visual centers

Award Number: R01EY013012

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/1999

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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