Our lab is working to uncover the neural basis of perception using novel optical probing technologies. Active in memory, attention, perception, thought, language, and consciousness, the brain's cerebral cortex is a complex sheet of tissue organized into columns and layers. While existing approaches to study the cortex have provided a fundamental understanding of perception, much about how the brain is wired to perceive sensory stimuli, such as touch, temperature, or smell, remains unknown. We combine techniques from genetics, microbial opsins, and imaging to reveal the detailed mechanisms of sensory perception. Previously, we employed a unique optogenetic approach to identify neural circuits within the cerebral cortex that contribute to the processing of sensory stimuli. Building upon that knowledge, we now hope to reveal the logic for the interaction between layers and columns within the cortex at both cellular and system-wide levels. In addition to providing new experimental models that will advance our understanding of how the brain works, this work could identify unforeseen avenues to treat neurological disorders-such as autism-that impair sensory perception.
Keywords: Neural circuits, Cerebral cortex, Perception, Sensory processing, Neural coding
Keywords: Neural circuits, Cerebral cortex, Perception, Sensory processing, Neural coding
