Neurobiology
Animal Physiology / Systems Neurobiology and Neural Computation
Head: Prof. Michael Brecht
My research group is active in the field of cellular and systems neuroscience with the following major areas:
Social touch, active touch, and object recognition; Ticklishness and Play; Cortical organization; Cellular basis of sensations and movement generation; Elephant behavior and neurobiology.
Social touch, active touch, and object recognition; Ticklishness and Play; Cortical organization; Cellular basis of sensations and movement generation; Elephant behavior and neurobiology.
Neuronal Plasticity
Head: Prof. Matthew Larkum
We are interested in the computational power of single neurons and their contribution to cortical function. Our main hypothesis is that the extraordinary performance of the cortex derives from an associative mechanism built in at the cellular level to the pyramidal cell.
Cognitive Neurobiology
Head: Prof. York Winter
Our research focuses on the cognitive abilities of animals in the context of economic decision making while foraging.
Behavioural Physiology
Head: Prof. Rüdiger Krahe
The Behavioural Physiology Lab studies the mechanisms used by the nerve cells in the brain with which sensory information is processed.
Optobiology
Head: Prof. Marina Mikhaylova
Our lab’s overall aim our lab is to understand what defines dendritic compartments as "plasticity units". Our research questions encompass plasticity and stability of individual synapses, synaptic diversity and communication between nearby synapses. The role of the microtubule and actin cytoskeleton; trafficking rules controlling organelle transport and positioning are particularly interesting.
Computational Neurophysiology
Head: Prof. Susanne Schreiber
We investigate neural processing from single cells to networks. In particular, we would like to understand how neurons are optimized for their computational task. The aim is to link the molecular level of ion channels to characteristics of neuronal firing, focusing on topics like information transfer, synchronization, energy efficiency, and temperature robustness.
Theory of Neural Systems
Head: Prof. Richard Kempter
Our research focuses on the neural basis of learning and memory, and involves computational and mathematical modeling of synapses, neurons, and networks of neurons. Of particular interest is short-term and long-term plasticity in the auditory system and the hippocampus.
Cellular Biophysics
Head: Prof. Andrew Plested
In the Cellular Biophysics group, we study glutamate receptors and other components of fast synaptic transmission.
Decision Circuits
Head: Ph.D. Torben Ott
We study the intricate cortical networks that implement decisions. With tools from optogenetics, electrophysiology, and quantitative psychophysics in rodents, we develop cortical circuit models for decision-making that are rooted in its underlying biological structure. By dissecting how dopamine and serotonin control brain function, we aim to understand adaptive – and maladaptive – behavior.