# Cell-type specific characterization of neuronal activity throughout V1

> **NIH NIH U19** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $387,470

## Abstract

SUMMARY
To constrain and test models of V1, we need to comprehensively characterize the physiological responses of
neurons as well as their main inputs in all six cortical layers. However, imaging neuronal cell bodies or axons
deep in the cortex has remained a major technical challenge. The Ji lab made critical breakthroughs in
applying adaptive optics to correct brain-induced optical aberrations for in vivo two-photon fluorescence
microscopy, so that the activity of axons, boutons, and neurons can be captured across the full depth of cortex.
Using Bessel focus scanning technology, the Ji lab also demonstrated high speed (30 Hz) volumetric calcium
imaging with synaptic resolution in vivo. In awake mice and under different brain states, these technologies will
be used to measure neural activity of both cortical neurons and their main sensory and modulatory inputs in
response to a concerted set of visual stimuli including natural movies to rigorously test model predictions.
Combined with subsequent in vitro functional connectivity mapping and post hoc cell type identification, we will
generate, for the first time, datasets where every neuron within V1 is described by its location, responses to
known stimuli, connectivity pattern, and cell type, to guide and validate the modeling projects.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9967181
- **Project number:** 5U19NS107613-03
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** NA Ji
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $387,470
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-15 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9967181

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9967181, Cell-type specific characterization of neuronal activity throughout V1 (5U19NS107613-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9967181. Licensed CC0.

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