Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-02531, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Chauhan, Balwantray (Dalhousie University), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Nova Scotia|Nouvelle-Écosse, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Discovery Grants Program - Individual, program name french : Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles, program purpose english : Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are neurons in the retina responsible for processing and integrating visual information prior to transmitting signals from the eye to the brain. Much of this processing is responsible for fine vision and ability to perceive contrast which results from a net increase, decrease or no change in the activity of individual RGCs. It has been established that there are many subtypes of RGCs with varied functional properties; however, in vivo functional analysis of these RGC subtypes is lacking. In vivo ophthalmic imaging techniques permit visualization and tracking of individual RGCs in living animals, which will allow us to study their functional and structural properties. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to measure light-evoked responses of RGCs to improve our understanding of different RGC subtypes and their functions. 
 Our research will examine functional responses and structural features of RGCs in a genetically engineered or transgenic mouse whose RGCs express a special fluorescent protein, GCaMP3. When the retina is stimulated with light, GCaMP3 fluorescence can be imaged in vivo and non-invasively. Measuring the onset and degree of changes in GCaMP3 fluorescence will allow us to characterize different subtypes of RGCs and relate their structures and functions. Results of these studies will vastly improve our understanding of visual responses impact different types of RGCs and their functions., program purpose french : Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are neurons in the retina responsible for processing and integrating visual information prior to transmitting signals from the eye to the brain. Much of this processing is responsible for fine vision and ability to perceive contrast which results from a net increase, decrease or no change in the activity of individual RGCs. It has been established that there are many subtypes of RGCs with varied functional properties; however, in vivo functional analysis of these RGC subtypes is lacking. In vivo ophthalmic imaging techniques permit visualization and tracking of individual RGCs in living animals, which will allow us to study their functional and structural properties. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to measure light-evoked responses of RGCs to improve our understanding of different RGC subtypes and their functions. 
 Our research will examine functional responses and structural features of RGCs in a genetically engineered or transgenic mouse whose RGCs express a special fluorescent protein, GCaMP3. When the retina is stimulated with light, GCaMP3 fluorescence can be imaged in vivo and non-invasively. Measuring the onset and degree of changes in GCaMP3 fluorescence will allow us to characterize different subtypes of RGCs and relate their structures and functions. Results of these studies will vastly improve our understanding of visual responses impact different types of RGCs and their functions., agreement title english : Calcium dynamics in retinal ganglion cells, agreement title french : Calcium dynamics in retinal ganglion cells, agreement number : RGPIN, agreement value : 140000.0, agreement start date : 2017-05-10, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2022-2023), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada