Understanding how the brain translates vision into movement
Official title: Molecular determinants of synaptic specificity underlying a visuomotor transformation
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10864704 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the brain helps us turn what we see into movements, using fruit flies to understand the genes and connections involved, which could help us learn more about problems with vision and movement in people with certain neurological conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $109,878 |
| NIH project number | 1K99EY036123-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10864704 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological disorders that impair visuomotor processing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to visuomotor processing or those who do not have neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular and developmental factors that enable the brain to convert visual information into motor actions, focusing on a model organism called Drosophila. By examining the synaptic connections between sensory and motor neurons, the study aims to uncover the genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie this critical process. The approach integrates advanced techniques such as transcriptomics and connectomics to link specific genes to the structure and function of neural circuits. This research could provide insights into the causes of impaired visuomotor processing seen in various neurological disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating neurological disorders that affect movement and vision.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using model organisms to understand complex neural processes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dombrovskiy, Mark — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Dombrovskiy, Mark
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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.