Objective Animals have a diverse set of behaviors that are triggered by specific sensory stimuli, such as motion or looming. In the visual system, this process begins in the retina where the visual scene is divided into 20 parallel information channels before reaching the brain. The superior colliculus is one of the main recipients of retinal output and it mediates tractable visually-guided behaviors such as eye movement, orienting or escaping behaviors. However, it remains unknown how visual signals from individual retinal ganglion cell types are processed by neurons in the superior colliculus to achieve specific computations relevant to behaviors.To answer these questions, I will use transgenic mouse lines recently identified by the host laboratory, in which specific types of retino-recipient neurons of the superior colliculus are labeled with Cre recombinase. First, I will characterize the response properties of Cre-labeled individual cell types using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging during visual stimulation. Next, I will initiate calcium sensor-functionalyzed trans-synaptic viral tracing from Cre-labeled collicular cell types, and perform two-photon calcium imaging of labeled presynaptic retinal ganglion cells and starter collicular neurons. With this approach I will relate the activity of neurons to the activity of connected neuronal networks, and evaluate the degree of convergence and divergence in retino-collicular connectivity.By linking cell types, circuits and computations, this work will provide mechanistic insight into the circuit basis for parallel processing of visual information and various visual functions in the healthy system, while possibly disclosing novel therapeutic targets for visual motor diseases. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkaline earth metalsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmology Keywords superior colliculus retinal ganglion cells visual processing visual circuits trans-synaptic viral circuit tracing two-photon calcium imaging Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator AARHUS UNIVERSITET Net EU contribution € 200 194,80 Address NORDRE RINGGADE 1 8000 Aarhus C Denmark See on map Region Danmark Midtjylland Østjylland Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 200 194,80