Objetivo When interacting with the environment we depend on our perception of the world around us. Visual perception relies on information flow from the eye to the visual cortex, where it is relayed and transformed via a series of cortical processing stages. Most research so far has focused on feedforward processing of visual information. However, it is increasingly obvious that perception crucially depends on how sensory input is interpreted in the context of an animal’s behavioural state, goals and actions. These non-sensory signals may be relayed by prominent long-range projections from higher-order cortical and thalamic areas, whose contribution to vision remains largely unexplored. Recent advances in imaging techniques and genetic tools for visualizing and manipulating neuronal activity enable us for the first time to study directly what information is conveyed through these major alternative visual pathways in the behaving animal and how they influence the processing of feedforward sensory information to allow us to actively perceive and interpret the environment.Using state-of-the-art methodology combining in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, animal behaviour, virtual reality, genetic tools and targeted optogenetics using advanced optics, we will determine the functional role of (i) cortical feedback and (ii) higher-order thalamic signals during cortical processing of visual information in the behaving mouse. Specifically, we will investigate what information these projections convey to the visual cortex in anaesthetized and awake mice, whether they provide signals mediating the increased saliency of behaviourally relevant stimuli, and whether they enable the integration of sensory and motor information during locomotion and navigation. Together, the proposed work will answer fundamental questions about the role of these important but poorly understood visual pathways in active processing of visual input as animals interact with their environment. Ámbito científico natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationsvirtual realitynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethology Programa(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Tema(s) ERC-SG-LS5 - ERC Starting Grant - Neurosciences and neural disorders Convocatoria de propuestas ERC-2013-StG Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Institución de acogida UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON Aportación de la UE € 1 173 442,51 Dirección GOWER STREET WC1E 6BT London Reino Unido Ver en el mapa Región London Inner London — West Camden and City of London Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Investigador principal Sonja Birgit Hofer (Prof.) Contacto administrativo Daniele Giannone (Mr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos Beneficiarios (2) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON Reino Unido Aportación de la UE € 1 173 442,51 Dirección GOWER STREET WC1E 6BT London Ver en el mapa Región London Inner London — West Camden and City of London Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Investigador principal Sonja Birgit Hofer (Prof.) Contacto administrativo Daniele Giannone (Mr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos UNIVERSITAT BASEL La participación finalizó Suiza Aportación de la UE € 325 751,09 Dirección PETERSPLATZ 1 4051 Basel Ver en el mapa Región Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Stadt Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contacto administrativo Kurt Kamber (Dr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos
