Understanding how our visual system processes light patterns
Official title: Computational and theoretical understanding of regulatory mechanisms shaping natural vision
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10899578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our eyes and brain work together to understand complicated light patterns, which could help us learn more about how we see things and improve technology that mimics our vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $123,282 |
| NIH project number | 5K99EY035357-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who may have cognitive disturbances or visual processing issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with purely structural eye problems that do not involve cognitive processing may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the human visual system interprets complex light patterns received by the retina. By leveraging machine vision models, the project aims to uncover the computations that transform light intensities into recognizable objects. The approach combines large-scale models of object recognition with biological constraints to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in vision. This could lead to a deeper understanding of both natural and artificial vision systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual processing, potentially leading to improved treatments for vision-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using machine vision models to understand visual processing, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Toosi, Tahereh — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Toosi, Tahereh
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.