The purpose of this course is to bring together students and faculty for in-depth and high level discussions of modern approaches for probing how specific cell types and circuits give rise to defined categories of visual perception and behavior. It is also designed to address novel strategies aimed at overcoming diseases that compromise visual function.

The visual system is the most widely studied sensory modality. In recent years, emerging technological advances have encouraged exploration of visual function across a wider array of model systems using diverse experimental approaches. For example, the tractability of genetic manipulation and imaging in mice has led to an increase in the use of the mouse as a model system for exploring how specific cells and circuits underlie visual and multi-sensory processing and cognition. Additionally, advances in genetic and viral methods have enabled similar cell- and circuit-centric explorations of visual function in a variety of model systems including insectivors, carnivores, and primates. Finally, the field of visual neuroscience is at the forefront of technological and therapeutic advances in clinical/translational work to restore visual function in humans.

The time is ripe to build on the classic paradigms and discoveries of visual system structure, function and disease, in order to achieve a deep, mechanistic understanding of how neuronal populations encode sensory information, how different circuits can induce defined categories of percepts and behaviors, and how modulations of cells and circuits may restore visual function in the diseased brain.”

The course will be held at the Laboratory's Banbury Conference Center located on the north shore of Long Island. All participants stay within walking distance of the Center, close to tennis court, pool and private beach.

Support & Stipends:

Major support provided by: National Eye Institute & Flighting Blindness Foundation, Helmsley Charitable Trust and Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Stipends are available to offset tuition costs as follows:

• Domestic applicants (National Eye Institute).


• Interdisciplinary Fellowships (transitioning from outside biology) & Scholarships (transitioning from other biological disciplines) (Helmsley Charitable Trust).


• International applicants (Howard Hughes Medical Institute).


• Scientists from developing countries accepted into this course may be eligible for scholarships provided by the International Brain Research Organization.

Please indicate your eligibility for funding in your stipend request submitted when you apply to the course. Stipend requests do not affect selection decisions made by the  instructors.