Edward Callaway
Professor of Biology, The Salk Institute

e-mail: callaway@salk.edu
Lab Homepage: Callaway Lab

    We are studying the organization and function of neural circuits in the visual cortex of adult and developing animals to better understand how specific neural components contribute to the computations that give rise to visual perception and what mechanisms are responsible for directing the formation of these circuits during development. We employ anatomical and physiological methods both in vivo and in vitro to elucidate neuronal circuitry and to identify the emergent functional properties of the component neurons. Present studies focus on: the relationships between local circuits in primary visual cortex and early parallel visual pathways; functional properties of the koniocellular visual pathway and its contributions to color vision; connectivity and functional influence of distinct types of inhibitory cortical neurons; molecular mechanisms that regulate development of layer-specific cortical circuits.

We are also actively developing and utilizing molecular and genetic methods to facilitate the elucidation and manipulation of neural circuits. These methods include: development of promoters that drive gene expression specifically in cell types of interest; genetic methods for selective and reversible neuronal inactivation; selective trans-synaptic viral labeling of neural circuits; viral delivery of genetic material to allow manipulation of circuits in species where typical transgenic technologies are impractical.


       Borrell, V. & E.M. Callaway (2002). Reorganization of Exuberant Axonal Arbors Contributes to the Development of Laminar Specificity in Ferret Visual Cortex. J. Neurosci. 22, 6682-6695.

       Chatterjee, S. & E.M. Callaway (2002). S Cone Contributions to the Magnocellular Visual Pathway in Macaque Monkey. Neuron 35, 1135-1146.

       Lechner, H.A.E., Lein, E.S. & E.M. Callaway (2002). Selective and quickly reversible silencing of mammalian neurons using an insect G protein-coupled receptor. J. Neurosci. 22, 5287-5290.

       Butler, A.K., Dantzker, J.L., Shah, R.B. & E.M. Callaway (2001). Development of visual cortical axons: Layer-specific effects of extrinsic influences and activity blockade. J. Comp. Neurol. 430, 321-331.

       Briggs, F. & E.M. Callaway (2001). Layer-specific input to distinct cell types in layer 6 of monkey primary visual cortex. J. Neurosci. 21, 3600-3608.

       Yabuta, N.H., Sawatari, A. & E.M. Callaway (2001). Two functional channels from primary visual cortex to dorsal visual cortical areas. Science 292, 297-300.

       Dantzker, J.L. & E.M. Callaway (2000). Laminar sources of synaptic input to cortical inhibitory interneurons and pyramidal neurons. Nature Neurosci. 7, 701-707.

       Sawatari, A. & E.M. Callaway (2000). Diversity and cell type specificity of local excitatory connections to neurons in layer 3B of monkey primary visual cortex. Neuron 25, 459-471.

       Yabuta, N.H., Butler, A.K. & E.M. Callaway (2000). Laminar specificity of local circuits in barrel cortex of ephrin-A5 knockout mice. J. Neurosci. 20, RC88, 1-4.

       Callaway, E.M. (1998). Prenatal development of layer-specific local circuits in primary visual cortex of the macaque monkey. J. Neurosci. 18, 1505-1527.

       Callaway E.M. (1998). Local circuits in primary visual cortex of the macaque monkey. Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 21, 47-74.

       Dantzker, J.D. & E.M. Callaway (1998). The development of local, layer-specific visual cortical axons in the absence of extrinsic influences and intrinsic activity. J. Neurosci. 18, 4145-4154.

       Yabuta N.H. & E.M. Callaway (1998). Functional streams and local connections of layer 4C neurons in primary visual cortex of the macaque monkey. J. Neurosci. 18, 9489-9499.


Edward Callaway received his Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the California Institute of Technology. His postdoctoral work was conducted at the Rockefeller University and Duke University. Dr. Callaway has received fellowships from the NIH, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Klingenstein Foundation.