Exploring Light and Subconscious Vision through Mathematical Modeling.

Abstract

This thesis surveys the process by which light is transformed into a biochemical signal to the human subconscious visual system and how the effects of light play out on multiple scales. First, it discusses the identifiability of ac{HH} style models fit to voltage clamp data. Tools from this discussion are used to fit models of the mouse M1 and M4 types of ipRGC. Next, firing rate models of ipRGC photoresponse are presented, with five types of rat ipRGC clustered into three groups. The parameters differences between the three groups are used to hypothesize differences between their physiology and function. The ipRGC models can be used to provide realistic light input to models of the SCN and circadian clock. Models of the clock are used to examine how light influences sleep habits around the world, using self-reported data as collected by our mobile application, Entrain. Finally, the thesis presents extensions of optimal control theory techniques that can be used to make predictions from models of the circadian clock more robust for real world applications.