# Dynamic interactions between synaptic and intrinsic properties of starburst amacrine cells for robust motion detection

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2024 · $517,781

## Abstract

Abstract
The overarching goal of this proposal is to obtain general principles of dendritic computation. The starburst
amacrine cell (SAC) of the mammalian retina is an excellent model to study dendritic function because it has a
rich set of generic dendritic processing machineries and a well-defined computation – direction selectivity. Its
radially oriented dendritic sectors are tuned to different directions of visual motion stimuli, and thereby confer
direction selectivity to the output neurons of the retina. Previous studies have generated substantial knowledge
on the spatiotemporal patterns of synaptic inputs onto the SAC dendritic arbor. However, how motion-evoked
inputs are transformed by SAC dendrites to generate robust outward direction selectivity is not well understood.
This application therefore focuses on the dendritic mechanism and how it is influenced by the synaptic input. We
will obtain the objective of the proposed research using a combination of patch clamp recording, two-photon
calcium, glutamate and voltage imaging during visual stimulation, and behavioral assay. Insights from this
proposal will challenge the conventional view that synaptic inputs are processed by dendrites equipped with a
stable set of intrinsic biophysical properties. Our study will advance the field of dendritic computation by
establishing a more dynamic relationship between synaptic activity and the algorithm of dendritic integration.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10811958
- **Project number:** 1R01EY035268-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Wei Wei
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $517,781
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-03-01 → 2029-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10811958

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10811958, Dynamic interactions between synaptic and intrinsic properties of starburst amacrine cells for robust motion detection (1R01EY035268-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10811958. Licensed CC0.

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