Receptive field development and plasticity of distinct cell types in the developing visual system. (360G-Wellcome-086363_Z_08_A)

This project will investigate how different neurons within a neural circuit establish their morphological identity and how they acquire their specific response properties. The research will focus on the retinotectal system of Xenopus Laevis tadpoles. This system represents the Xenopus' primary visual pathway, where axons from the retinal ganglion cells in the eye project to the brain and form synaptic connections on the dendrites of optic !ectal neurons. The project has three specific aims: Aim 1: To examine the intrinsic, synaptic and receptive field properties of morphologically identified cell-types in the developing tectum. Aim 2: To examine the intrinsic, synaptic and receptive field properties of histochemically and functionally identified cell-types in the developing tectum. Aim 3: To examine receptive field plasticity mechanisms in the different tecta/ cell types.