We reverse engineer the neural mechanisms of perceptual learning and forward engineer neuromorphic computing platforms. Our research is at the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, computing, and (biomedical, electrical) engineering. We place strong emphasis on establishing causality between brain, mind, and behavior, which often requires us to develop hardware and software solutions to observe and modulate the brain, cognition, and behavior in a closed loop.
We are always on the lookout for exceptional talent that embraces challenges and thrives in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. We provide a supportive and collegial environment that places the professional development of every team member as a top priority. Drop us a line if you want to discuss the opportunities.
We believe in open science and freely distribute our big databases and software tools. Check out our research products. Here are some of our recent preprints:
In neural networks, the conversion of postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) to action potentials (APs) is a critical step in communication. This intracellular transfer of information strongly influences how sensory cortices represent stimuli. Through whole-cell recordings and information-theoretic measures, our study reveals that somatic PSPs reliably convey the location of stimuli on a trial-by-trial basis, even four synapses away from the sensory periphery in the whisker system. Although this information is mostly lost during AP generation, it …
Effective active sensing involves adaptive motor control of sensory organs, responding to contextual, sensory, and task-specific demands. This process develops postnatally, influenced by the maturation of intracortical circuits. Disruptions in sensorimotor network connectivity during this developmental period may have lasting effects on sensorimotor computation into adulthood. Serotonin plays a crucial role in developmental network regulation, prompting us to investigate how alterations in serotonergic signaling impact the emergence and maturation of sensorimotor control. Using an object …
Navigation is a complex process involving sensorimotor computation, where the brain integrates sensory information in allocentric and egocentric coordinates to formulate a motor plan for effective navigation. In low-light conditions, rodents heavily rely on their whiskers for tactile sensing to guide their movements. While prior research has shown that rodents can utilize whisker input for mobility early in postnatal development, the timeline and mechanisms of adaptive sensorimotor control of whisker position remain unclear. This study …
Fluorescence imaging of calcium dynamics has transformed cellular biology, particularly in neuroscience, enabling the study of neural activity in precisely defined spatial populations. Commonly used ratiometric measures, like ΔF/F, rely on baseline definitions, posing challenges outside evoked responses and requiring individual cell-specific baselines. This study introduces a novel quantitative measure called ARES (Autoregressive RESiduals), leveraging the time dimension of the signal. ARES, based on autoregression residuals, eliminates the need for arbitrary baseline assignment. We outline …
Sensorimotor computation involves a dynamic interplay between incoming sensory information, internally generated knowledge, and task-related goals to formulate action plans. In the rodent whisker system, a pivotal model for active sensing, recent evidence indicates that neuromodulatory neurotransmitters play a key role in shaping whisker position control and influencing context-dependent changes in whisking behavior. As these neurotransmitters are primarily released from subcortical nuclei with widespread projections throughout the central nervous system, understanding the circuits of top-down …
Sensory neurons translate the world into action potentials, crucial for effective information transfer to subsequent processing levels. Neurons must adjust their operational range to match stimulus properties for optimal information transmission. This study explores the intrinsic properties of cortical neurons influencing information transfer in the mouse barrel cortex's L2/3. Excitatory neurons, characterized by high thresholds and strong adaptation, exhibit sparse firing and significant information compression. In contrast, inhibitory neurons, favoring fast spiking, convey more information. …
