Research

My goal is to examine how cortical neurons encode sensory stimuli and how stimulus representation is affected by behavior. The rodent barrel cortex is an excellent system to study these questions since the individual sensory organs (facial whiskers) are represented by easily identifiable cortical columns.

Sensory processing during behavioral paradigms
During normal animal behavior, the sensory organs (i.e. the whiskers) are actively moved back and forth to navigate through the environment. The research question is how sensory processing in barrel cortex is affected by the behavioral state of the animal. Techniques used are behavioral training, (in vivo) electrophysiology in the awake animal and post-hoc 3D Neurolucida reconstructions.

Sensory processing in prefrontal cortex

Sensory information can induce shifts in attention and this cognitive behavior critically depends on prefrontal cortex. In this project we study how sensory information influences activity in prefrontal cortex and how behavioral state (anaesthetized vs. awake conditions) may be involved in the coupling between activity in sensory areas and prefrontal cortex. Techniques used are behavioral training, (in vivo) electrophysiology in the awake animal and post-hoc 3D Neurolucida reconstructions.

3D reconstruction of labeled neurons

Computer models can be helpful tools to design and direct future experiments and predict possible outcomes. Using 3D reconstructions from in vivo recordings, the first goal is to anatomically reconstruct the cortical column. Then, physiological data will be used to model (and playback) the electrical activity of the cortical column. This project is a collaboration with Marcel Oberlaender and Bert Sakmann from the Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Germany. Techniques used are 3D Neurolucida reconstructions and computer modeling of morphological and physiological properties.