We propose to develop a set of molecular tools to link gene expression to, and to study the role of specific neural circuits in, visual perception and behavior. These tools will be adapted for work in non-human primates, which have distinct advantages in our knowledge of the functional anatomy of neural circuits, the functional architecture of cortex, the ability to study complex behaviors and to combine physiological and behavioral studies in awake, behaving animals, and because of their close relationship with humans. The components of the project include developing gene microarrays based on an expression library derived from the monkey cerebral cortex, high throughput techniques for studying patterns of gene expression involved in specific behaviors, anatomical studies of the patterning of gene expression relative to cortical functional architecture and cell type, developing viral vectors for delivering genes to neurons, reversible inactivation of specific cell classes using molecular tools, and a cortical plasticity model for monitoring changes in gene expression and altering function by changing levels of gene expression via viral transfection. Once developed, these techniques will make possible a top-down understanding of the link between patterns of gene expression and behavior. They will also make it possible to alter gene expression in higher animals for the study of neural mechanisms of behavior.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY014103-02
Application #
6652641
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-1 (03))
Program Officer
Oberdorfer, Michael
Project Start
2002-09-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2003-09-01
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$802,715
Indirect Cost
Name
Rockefeller University
Department
Biology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
071037113
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065
Chen, Jiabin; Yamahachi, Homare; Gilbert, Charles D (2010) Experience-dependent gene expression in adult visual cortex. Cereb Cortex 20:650-60
Lein, Edward S; Callaway, Edward M; Albright, Thomas D et al. (2005) Redefining the boundaries of the hippocampal CA2 subfield in the mouse using gene expression and 3-dimensional reconstruction. J Comp Neurol 485:1-10
Lein, Ed S; Zhao, Xinyu; Gage, Fred H (2004) Defining a molecular atlas of the hippocampus using DNA microarrays and high-throughput in situ hybridization. J Neurosci 24:3879-89