# Genetic Manipulation of Retinal Ganglion Cell Subtypes

> **NIH NIH R21** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $200,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Light is a profoundly important regulator of physiology and behavior across a wide range of organisms. Light
information is relayed via diverse retinal ganglion cell types to approximately 50 distinct targets in the brain. The
melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) represent 6 of the 40 retinal
ganglion cell types present in the mouse retina. The M1-M6 ipRGC subtypes each possess a distinct complement
of morphological and physiological features, central projections, and behavioral roles. Thus, mapping of ipRGC
circuits with single subtype resolution would provide critical insight into the function of multiple and varied visual
circuits. However, progress on this front has been hampered by a dearth of genetic tools for label, manipulation,
and ablation of single subtypes of retinal ganglion cell. Our preliminary data indicate that a Cre and Flp-based
intersectional approach could allow for such manipulation of single ipRGC subtypes. This proposal aims to
identify genetic marker combinations unique to single ipRGC subtypes. Additionally, we will simultaneously
create a modular genetic toolkit that can be integrated into any Cre/Flp motif for future ipRGC subtype
manipulation. These tools will not only provide immediate insight into ipRGC-connected circuits, but will provide
critical tools and an experimental pipeline for the visual and circuit neuroscience communities to study a broad
range of circuits to link cellular function to behavior.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10688275
- **Project number:** 5R21EY033523-02
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Tiffany M. Schmidt
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $200,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10688275

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10688275, Genetic Manipulation of Retinal Ganglion Cell Subtypes (5R21EY033523-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10688275. Licensed CC0.

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