Inferring cortical function in the mouse visual system through large-scale systems neuroscience
Authors: Hawrylycz Michael , Anastassiou Costas , Arkhipov Anton , Berg Jim , Buice Michael , Cain Nicholas , Gouwens Nathan W. , Gratiy Sergey , Iyer Ramakrishnan , Lee Jung Hoon , Mihalas Stefan , Mitelut Catalin , Olsen Shawn , Reid R. Clay , Teeter Corinne , de Vries Saskia , Waters Jack , Zeng Hongkui , Koch Christof ,   MindScope, Anastassiou Costas , Arkhipov Anton , Barber Chris , Becker Lynne , Berg Jim , Berg Barg , Bernard Amy , Bertagnolli Darren , Bickley Kris , Bleckert Adam , Blesie Nicole , Bodor Agnes , Bohn Phil , Bowles Nick , Brouner Krissy , Buice Michael , Bumbarger Dan , Cain Nicholas , Caldejon Shiella , Casal Linzy , Casper Tamara , Cetin Ali , Chapin Mike , Chatterjee Soumya , Cheng Adrian , da Costa Nuno , Cross Sissy , Cuhaciyan Christine , Daigle Tanya , Dang Chinh , Danskin Bethanny , Desta Tsega , de Vries Saskia , Dee Nick , Denman Daniel , Dolbeare Tim , Donimirski Ashley , Dotson Nadia , Durand Severine , Farrell Colin , Feng David , Fisher Michael , Fliss Tim , Garner Aleena , Garrett Marina , Garwood Marisa , Gaudreault Nathalie , Gilbert Terri , Gill Harminder , Gliko Olga , Godfrey Keith , Goldy Jeff , Gouwens Nathan , Gratiy Sergey , Gray Lucas , Griffin Fiona , Groblewski Peter , Gu Hong , Gu Guangyu , Habel Caroline , Hadley Kristen , Haradon Zeb , Harrington James , Harris Julie , Hawrylycz Michael , Henry Alex , Hejazinia Nika , Hill Chris , Hill Dijon , Hirokawa Karla , Ho Anh , Howard Robert , Huffman Jaclyn , Iyer Ram , Jarsky Tim , Johal Justin , Keenan Tom , Kim Sean , Knoblich Ulf , Koch Christof , Kriedberg Ali , Kuan Leonard , Lai Florence , Larsen Rachael , Larsen Rylan , Lau Chris , Ledochowitsch Peter , Lee Brian , Lee Chang-Kyu , Lee Jung-Hoon , Lee Felix , Li Lu , Li Yang , Liu Rui , Liu Xiaoxiao , Long Brian , Long Fuhui , Luviano Jennifer , Madisen Linda , Maldonado Veronica , Mann Rusty , Mastan Naveed , Melchor Jose , Menon Vilas , Mills Stefan Mihalas. Maya , Mitelut Catalin , Mizuseki Kenji , Mortrud Marty , Ng Lydia , Nguyen Thuc , Nyhus Julie , Oh Seung Wook , Oldre Aaron , Ollerenshaw Doug , Olsen Shawn , Orlova Natalia , Ouellette Ben , Parry Sheana , Pendergraft Julie , Peng Hanchuan , Perkins Jed , Phillips John , Potekhina Lydia , Reading Melissa , Reid Clay , Rogers Brandon , Roll Kate , Rosen David , Saggau Peter , Sandman David , Shea-Brown Eric , Shai Adam , Shi Shu , Siegle Josh , Sjoquist Nathan , Smith Kimberly , Sodt Andrew , Soler-Llavina Gilberto , Sorensen Staci , Stoecklin Michelle , Sunkin Susan , Szafer Aaron , Tasic Bosiljka , Taskin Naz , Teeter Corinne , Thatra Nivretta , Thompson Carol , Tieu Michael , Tsyboulski Dmitri , Valley Matt , Wakeman Wayne , Wang Quanxin , Waters Jack , White Casey , Whitesell Jennifer , Williams Derric , Wong Natalie , Wright Von , Zhuang Jun , Yao Zizhen , Young Rob , Youngstrom Brian , Zeng Hongkui , Zhou Zhi 
Published: July 2016

The scientific mission of the Project MindScope is to understand neocortex, the part of the mammalian brain that gives rise to perception, memory, intelligence, and consciousness. We seek to quantitatively evaluate the hypothesis that neocortex is a relatively homogeneous tissue, with smaller functional modules that perform a common computational function replicated across regions. We here focus on the mouse as a mammalian model organism with genetics, physiology, and behavior that can be readily studied and manipulated in the laboratory. We seek to describe the operation of cortical circuitry at the computational level by comprehensively cataloging and characterizing its cellular building blocks along with their dynamics and their cell type-specific connectivities. The project is also building large-scale experimental platforms (i.e., brain observatories) to record the activity of large populations of cortical neurons in behaving mice subject to visual stimuli. A primary goal is to understand the series of operations from visual input in the retina to behavior by observing and modeling the physical transformations of signals in the corticothalamic system. We here focus on the contribution that computer modeling and theory make to this long-term effort.