A cell specific approach for dissecting visual pulvinar function and modulation of retinal ganglion cell activity

The retina and pulvinar nucleus are critical substrates which facilitates our sense of vision. How these two nodes process visual signals is still poorly understood. To bridge the knowledge gap that currently surrounds the pulvinar we employed some novel techniques to resolve questions surrounding its anatomy and its function. We also utilized these novel techniques to improve our understanding on how the retina transmits signals to the brain. The overall findings of this thesis gives us novel insights into how the brain processes vision. The techniques developed during these studies also has the potential to be translated clinically to treat the visually impaired.