Grant: Operating Grant

Our brains are capable of recognizing a face in a crowd or calculating the velocity of a moving object, and in this regard our abilities far exceed those of even the most sophisticated computers. Underlying these abilities is a complex network of neurons and connections that are still not well understood. In this research we will study the neural pathways responsible for vision, with the goal of obtaining a detailed mathematical characterization of their function. In particular, we will focus on the interactions that occur among nearby neurons within the visual cortex. These local connections have the function of placing isolated visual signals into a more global context. This function is crucial for accurate vision and is often impaired in a number of sensory dysfunctions. Our work will therefore advance the basic understanding of the visual system while providing a foundation for interpreting and treating neurological disorders.