Cang, Jianhua
Primary Appointment
Jefferson Scholars Foundation Professor, Biology
Contact Information
Gilmer #183
Charlottesville, VA 22904
Telephone: 4-1117
Email: cang@virginia.edu
Research Disciplines
Neuroscience
Research Interests
Mouse Visual System, physiology, functional imaging, genetics, molecular, behavioral, and computational methods
Research Description
The overall goal of our research is to study the organization, function and development of the visual system. With an integrative approach that combines physiology, functional imaging, genetics, molecular, behavioral, and computational methods, our research is mainly along two directions. First, we made a paradigm-shifting discovery regarding how sensory experience shapes visual functions in the cortex during a critical period in early life. Second, we have carried out a series of functional studies of the mouse superior colliculus, helping to establish it as a new model for studying visual information processing and sensorimotor transformation. We are now continuing both lines of research in mice by performing mechanistic studies of critical period plasticity in the cortex and visual transformation and development in the superior colliculus.