# Mechanisms controlling retinal responses to natural stimuli

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $377,087

## Abstract

We have made a tremendous amount of progress understanding sensory function. But this understanding fails
to account for responses to natural stimuli. We propose to develop a mechanistic understanding of how natural
stimuli are encoded in the primate retina through a combination of directed experimentation and quantitative modeling. This will encompass three aims: (1) determining the circuit mechanisms that explain striking differences in
responses of On parasol ganglion cells to natural and artificial stimuli; (2) determining the origin, properties, and
functional significance of the receptive field surround of retinal ganglion cells; and, (3) developing and applying
new tools to reveal the importance of cone adaptation in shaping ganglion cell responses to natural stimuli.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10223313
- **Project number:** 5R01EY028542-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** FREDERICK M RIEKE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $377,087
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-05 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10223313

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10223313, Mechanisms controlling retinal responses to natural stimuli (5R01EY028542-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10223313. Licensed CC0.

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