Decoding Retinal Ganglion Cells and Vision Engineering

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The chapter explores the intricate details of retinal ganglion cells and their role in visual processing, emphasizing the importance of understanding different cell types for unraveling brain function related to vision and consciousness. Researchers study the electrical properties of these cells in response to various stimuli, using flickering checkerboard patterns to identify cell behaviors. The conversation also delves into the field of neuroengineering, discussing the potential of electronic implants to stimulate retinal ganglion cells for vision restoration beyond natural capabilities.

In this episode, my guest is Dr. E.J. Chichilnisky, Ph.D., a professor of neurosurgery and ophthalmology at Stanford University. He studies how we see and uses that information to build artificial eyes that restore vision to the blind.

We discuss how understanding the retina (the light-sensing brain tissue that lines the back of our eyes) is critical to knowing how our brain works more generally.

We discuss brain augmentation with biologically informed prostheses, robotics, and AI and what this means for medicine and humanity.

We also discuss E.J.’s unique journey into neuroscience and how changing fields multiple times, combined with some wandering, taught him how to guide his decision-making in all realms of life.

This episode ought to be of interest to anyone interested in learning how the brain works from a world-class neuroscientist, those interested in the future of brain therapeutics and people seeking inspiration and tools for navigating their own professional and life journey.

For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.