The National Eye Institute (NEI) awarded a $109,878 federal Project Grant (CFDA 93.867 - Vision Research) to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to investigate the molecular basis of synaptic specificity in visuomotor transformation circuits in Drosophila. The project will leverage single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and electrophysiology to identify transcriptomic signatures that enable individual neurons of the same cell type to form distinct synaptic connections. This will advance the understanding of how precise wiring between sensory and motor neural circuits enables the brain to transform visual inputs into motor outputs, a process that is impaired in various neurological disorders. The award commences on July 1, 2024 and is scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2026. UCLA will serve as the prime grantee, with collaborative support from co-mentors at the institution.
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