The goal of the research is to understand inhibitory synaptic circuitry in the retina that is mediated by a bipolar cell subtype which may be GABAergic. The hypothesis to be addressed is that the four subtypes of GABAergic bipolar cells comprise a single functional unit that synapses upon one type of ganglion cell, the small-simple/ON-OFF type, that is stratified throughout the full thickness of the IPL. Post-embedding electron microscopic immunocytochemistry and whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques will be used to explore the synaptic circuitry and function of these GABAergic bipolar cells. To this means the study will: (1) characterize the morphology of ganglion cells that demonstrate IPSCs elicited directly by the bipolar cells, followed by labeling with horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/rhodamine for light microscopy and post-embedding immunocytochemical electron microscopy; (2) determine the temporal response properties of the cells by current injection and the polarity of the response type of the filled cells by its dendritic stratification within the IPL; and (3) determine the synaptic organization of the HRP-filled ganglion cells with respect to input from GABA-immunoreactive and non-GABA-immunoreactive bipolar cells, as well as the GABAergic and non-GABAergic amacrine cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY010322-09
Application #
6606934
Study Section
Visual Sciences C Study Section (VISC)
Program Officer
Hunter, Chyren
Project Start
1999-01-01
Project End
2005-06-30
Budget Start
2003-07-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$215,608
Indirect Cost
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Neurosciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794
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