The human brain contains billions of neurons interconnected via hundreds of billions of synapses. How the brain is wired up during development is therefore a fascinating question. It is known that neuronal activity, both spontaneous and sensory-induced, plays an important role in the formation and maturation of neural circuits. We are using the mouse visual system as a model to study the neural basis of activity-dependent development. By combing in vivo electrophysiology, functional imaging, mouse genetics, behavioral and computational approaches, we study:

1. (1)How critical period plasticity reorganizes and fine-tunes synaptic connections in the cortex to ensure normal visual functions       Learn more
   

2. (2)Cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie visual map refinement by patterned neuronal activity in the developing brain Learn more