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Research Focus

We investigate neural processing from single cells to networks.

In particular, we would like to understand how neurons are optimized for their computational task. Therefore, we investigate the relationship between intrinsic neuronal properties and the signaling mechanisms shaped by them, as well as their relevance for network behavior. 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. To identify computational principles, conductance-based and phenomenological models are used in combination with data evaluation techniques and analytical approaches. We closely cooperate with experimental groups in order to test theoretical predictions.

We are part of the Institute for Theoretical Biology at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin.

News

  • NEW paper: Our collaborative work with the lab of James Poulet (Charité) on dendritic-specific input amplification has been published in Cell Reports (September 2018).
  • FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence: Susanne was selected to join the group of FENS-Kavli Scholars 2018. Looking forward to the interactions within the network and hoping to contribute to supporting neuroscience in Europe (July 2018).
  • ICMNS2018: The lab participated in the 4th International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience in Juan-les-Pins, France: Paul received the poster prize - Congratulations! - Susana gave a contributed talk, and Susanne a keynote lecture (June 2018).
  • NEW SFB project: The DFG approved our SFB on memory consolidation. We will soon start a collaborative project on the role of inhibition for consolidation of tutor songs in zebra finches. A postdoctoral position for modelling will become available. Previous experience in mathematical modelling of neural systems and the analysis of biological data is required. Please contact us if interested (including the details stated in Positions).
  • ENCODS2018: Paul and Susana co-organize this year's European Neuroscience Conference by Doctoral Students together with other PhD students from Berlin. The conference will take place close to Berlin in beautiful Schmoeckwitz on July 5th and 6th 2018. You can register here (deadline: January 31st 2018).
  • National Bernstein Association: Susanne elected as a member of the national steering committee of the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience (November 2017).
  • Teaching Award: The mathematics lecture series for biology students given by Susanne together with Hanspeter Herzel and Richard Kempter received the Teaching Award of Humboldt-University's Department of Life Sciences (October 2017).
  • International Symposium: Yet another great symposium took place on October 11th and 12th 2017, celebrating 10 years of our Bernstein Center and its continuation. You can browse the exciting program here.
  • Ph.D. Defense: Janina has defended her PhD on the topic of energy efficient neural morphologies and synchronisation-promoting neuronal bifurcations. Wonderful, Janina! (July 2017).
  • International Symposium: On July 13th and 14th 2017 our International Symposium “The Future of Theoretical Biology” took place in Berlin. Check out the exciting program here.
  • Ph.D. Defense: Katha celebrates her thesis defense on the topic of inhibitory gating of excitatory plasticity. Congratulations, Dr. Wilmes! (November 2016). Katha will soon join the Clopath lab at Imperial College, London, UK.
  • Dispatch in Current Biology: For some background on temperature-invariant processing and its homeostasis have a look at our Dispatch on a new study by O'Leary and Marder in Current Biology (November 2016).
  • Yet another Ph.D. Defense: This time it was Fred's turn to complete his PhD on the temperature dependence in an insect auditory system. Well done, Dr. Roemschied! (September 2016). Fred now moves on to the Murthy lab at Princeton University.
  • Bernstein Workshop: Susanne and Tatjana Tchumatchenko organize the workshop "Signatures of efficient coding" at the Bernstein Conference 2016 in Berlin (September 20th 2016).
  • Ph.D. Defense: Eric successfully defended his thesis on the analysis of phase precession in the entorhinal cortex. Great job, Dr. Reifenstein! (July 2016).
  • NEW paper: Eric's analysis of phase precession in the parasubiculum and EC in collaboration with the Brecht lab has been published in Cell Reports (July 2016).
  • Ph.D. Defense: Sven successfully defended his thesis on “Theoretical mechanisms of information filtering in stochastic single neuron models”. Congratulations, Dr. Blankenburg! (July 2016).
  • Science Slam: Fred wins the BCCN Science Slam at the “Long Night of the Sciences” (Die Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) in Berlin - Congratulations! (June 2016).
  • Conference Talk: Janina presents her work on the saddle-node-loop bifurcation and its consequences for neural coding at the 2nd International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience in Juan les Pins, France (June 2016).