Centre-surround interactions in ageing human vision. Australia has a rapidly ageing population. This project will study how ageing affects the visual perception of objects presented on non-uniform backgrounds. Our ability to discriminate objects from their backgrounds is key to most natural visual tasks. The visual processes involved are known as centre-surround interactions, and are considered fundamental building blocks to human perception. This project will significantly advance our knowledge ....Centre-surround interactions in ageing human vision. Australia has a rapidly ageing population. This project will study how ageing affects the visual perception of objects presented on non-uniform backgrounds. Our ability to discriminate objects from their backgrounds is key to most natural visual tasks. The visual processes involved are known as centre-surround interactions, and are considered fundamental building blocks to human perception. This project will significantly advance our knowledge of which spatial visual mechanisms are altered due to age, supplying key information for understanding and improving visual environments for the elderly, as well as increasing knowledge of the brain mechanisms susceptible to the ageing process.Read moreRead less
Understanding and Modelling Insect Motion Vision. The interdisciplinary project proposed will offer a stimulating environment for research/training into computational neuroscience, an attractive area for aspiring scientists. We have already demonstrated the feasibility of transferring physiology into applications, and expect this project to deliver functional motion vision models and devices. Our proposed work will have an impact beyond the advancement of neuro-physiology as knowledge gained is ....Understanding and Modelling Insect Motion Vision. The interdisciplinary project proposed will offer a stimulating environment for research/training into computational neuroscience, an attractive area for aspiring scientists. We have already demonstrated the feasibility of transferring physiology into applications, and expect this project to deliver functional motion vision models and devices. Our proposed work will have an impact beyond the advancement of neuro-physiology as knowledge gained is applicable in a range of areas, with applications in miniature unmanned vehicles and collision avoidance detectors in defence and civilian roles. Our project could also assist in the development of artificial intelligence and as a basis for designing implantable artificial eyes.Read moreRead less
Thalamic inputs and cortical microcircuitry underlying the functional architecture of the visual cortex. This project seeks to reveal the fundamental circuitry of the visual cortex that enables visual perception. Such understanding is essential not only for explaining many perceptual disturbances, but also for providing a neuronal basis for developing functionally useful prostheses for the blind.
Target detection in visual clutter. The interdisciplinary nature of the project will offer a stimulating environment for training a postdoctoral worker in the hot topic of computational neuroscience. While computationally expensive solutions to moving target detection in clutter have been implemented using conventional engineering, this project will offer insight into the efficiency of the biological brain (with benefit of millions of years of evolution towards compact, economical and optimal so ....Target detection in visual clutter. The interdisciplinary nature of the project will offer a stimulating environment for training a postdoctoral worker in the hot topic of computational neuroscience. While computationally expensive solutions to moving target detection in clutter have been implemented using conventional engineering, this project will offer insight into the efficiency of the biological brain (with benefit of millions of years of evolution towards compact, economical and optimal solutions). The results will assist development of efficient artificial intelligence. It will also assist our ongoing collaborations with defence partners to develop and apply algorithms in artificial vision systems. Read moreRead less
Neural plasticity in older adult human vision. This project aims to expand our understanding of age related changes in brain function, specifically plasticity. The project will increase knowledge of the role of an inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in visual plasticity. Expected outcomes include new knowledge regarding the regulation of brain function in adulthood, enabling future research and planning for societal benefit to older Australia.
Histamine and non-visual regulation of retinal signalling. This project is internationally competitive, asking basic biological questions about the brain and vision. Of direct national benefit, the new knowledge generated may alter the way we understand how vision works. Ultimately this knowledge may give insight into particular health issues, such as the persistence of visual memory in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and age related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Further this new kno ....Histamine and non-visual regulation of retinal signalling. This project is internationally competitive, asking basic biological questions about the brain and vision. Of direct national benefit, the new knowledge generated may alter the way we understand how vision works. Ultimately this knowledge may give insight into particular health issues, such as the persistence of visual memory in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and age related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Further this new knowledge will flow directly into the reputation of our major institutes of higher education and strengthen their place on the world stage. Through both CIs, this research will contribute to the education of both undergraduate and postgraduate science students at The University of Melbourne. Read moreRead less
Understanding the consequences of normal ageing on visual form perception. Australia has an ageing population. Within the elderly, vision is a key sense that contributes significantly to the maintenance of independence, mobility and participation in society. This project will enhance our knowledge of the impact of ageing on vision. The research findings are important to a variety of disciplines involved in planning for our ageing population; for example: the design of living/working spaces for t ....Understanding the consequences of normal ageing on visual form perception. Australia has an ageing population. Within the elderly, vision is a key sense that contributes significantly to the maintenance of independence, mobility and participation in society. This project will enhance our knowledge of the impact of ageing on vision. The research findings are important to a variety of disciplines involved in planning for our ageing population; for example: the design of living/working spaces for the elderly, information technology, and the design of technology to assist with independent living. This project will train students in visual psychophysics, continuing the strong international reputation and output of Australian scientists in this discipline.Read moreRead less
Neuronal origin of functional maps on the mammalian visual cortex. This project aims to study how the brain processes images. Basic features of objects in the visual scene seem to be coded on the visual cortex in an orderly way. By recording neurones’ electrical activity in a mammalian brain, this project aims to study how such organisation is determined at the neuronal level, namely how the individual nerves and synapses that form the brain and process the signals are organised to form the over ....Neuronal origin of functional maps on the mammalian visual cortex. This project aims to study how the brain processes images. Basic features of objects in the visual scene seem to be coded on the visual cortex in an orderly way. By recording neurones’ electrical activity in a mammalian brain, this project aims to study how such organisation is determined at the neuronal level, namely how the individual nerves and synapses that form the brain and process the signals are organised to form the overall functional architecture visible at a macroscopic level. This understanding could realise the basis of normal visual perception in robotic vision and brain-machine interfaces.Read moreRead less
Wiring the retina for human vision - a single-cell behavioural approach. This project aims to combine optical and behavioural methods to explore how colour information is channelled from individual cone photoreceptors through the living human retina, to the brain. By non-invasively stimulating either a single cell or specific arrangements of cells, the project aims to contribute fundamental knowledge about how the retina is wired to inform our exquisite sense of colour and spatial vision. This u ....Wiring the retina for human vision - a single-cell behavioural approach. This project aims to combine optical and behavioural methods to explore how colour information is channelled from individual cone photoreceptors through the living human retina, to the brain. By non-invasively stimulating either a single cell or specific arrangements of cells, the project aims to contribute fundamental knowledge about how the retina is wired to inform our exquisite sense of colour and spatial vision. This understanding has consequences across a range of disciplines, including artificial vision systems such as driverless cars, retinal disease, and the processing of information through neuronal connections in general.Read moreRead less
Physiological significance of transient receptor potential (TRPC3) ion channels in the cochlea. The project seeks to discover the function of transient receptor potential (TRPC3) ion channels in the cochlea. Recent studies have suggested that these proteins, which are expressed by the sensory and neural cells, are key elements regulating sound transduction and neurotransmission. The new knowledge about the physiological processes underlying hearing that this work will provide, will significantl ....Physiological significance of transient receptor potential (TRPC3) ion channels in the cochlea. The project seeks to discover the function of transient receptor potential (TRPC3) ion channels in the cochlea. Recent studies have suggested that these proteins, which are expressed by the sensory and neural cells, are key elements regulating sound transduction and neurotransmission. The new knowledge about the physiological processes underlying hearing that this work will provide, will significantly benefit national and international translational research that seeks to develop systems for controlling the sensitivity of our senses, developing biosensors, interacting with neural networks and developing neural prostheses. International collaborators in this project have enabled development of new models, technology and research training opportunities.Read moreRead less