A Mosaic of Neurons: Cell-Type Diversity in Dynamics and Cognition

Depending on their neurotransmitter, neurons can be coarsely grouped into excitatory, inhibitory, and neuromodulatory. Novel experimental tools have immensely expanded this textbook knowledge: a growing body of studies has shown how neuron subtypes differ in morphology, physiology, or layer of location. Such subtypes have their own wiring within the local microcircuits, express specific plasticity, suppress or disinhibit each other, or selectively participate in oscillations. Recent evidence also reveals great diversity in neuromodulatory cells, including unique signaling patterns, nuanced effects on diverging projection targets, and an intricate interplay with other neuromodulators. How does this diversity affect neuronal dynamics and cognition? In this series, we will introduce speakers who, with multiple approaches and in different brain areas, have provided meaningful answers to this question.

Organizers:

Larkum Group: João Pedro Parreira Rodrigues

Spitzer Group: Ines Pont-Sanchis

Ott Group: Lilly von Kalckreuth

Sprekeler Group: Sofia Pereira da Silva

Kempter Group: Stefano Masserini

The Circuits Club Berlin

Systems and circuit neuroscience research is at home in Berlin. The ‘Circuits Club Berlin’ is a speaker series aimed to spark lively discussions and foster bonds between students, postdocs and senior neuroscience researchers within that field.

Organizers:

Brecht Group: Ben Gerhardt, Natalie Gloveli, & Lennart Eigen

de Hoz Group: Xing Xiao

Judkewitz Group: Johannes Veith & Anusha Bhat

Peng Group: Öykü Okur, Miguel Angel de Jesus Cruz Elizondoc, & Shengyuan Cai

Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Connectivity: From Membranes to Synapses

Organizers:

Ewers Group: Bas van Bommel

Haucke Group: Clara Grosse & Agata Witkowska

Herman Group: Marin Boutonnet

Rosenmund Lab: Astghik Abrahamyan & Sina Zobel

Lipstein Group: Dragana Ilic & Leonie Rommel

Owald Group: Isabella Balles & Marcel Heim

Mikhaylova Group: Julia Bär & Yannes Popp

Milovanovic Group: Aleksandr Korobeinikov

Neural Mechanisms of Psychedelic Drug Action

The so-called psychedelic renaissance of the last decade has brought psychedelic substances back into the global research spotlight. Psychedelics are under intense investigation for their potential applications in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Until today, their mechanisms of action at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and system levels have not been fully clarified, and it remains unclear how these relate to the induced alterations in consciousness functions. Unraveling these mechanisms requires unprecedented international collaboration. This talk series will pursue this goal by promoting 1) collaboration among young researchers and helping local students learn about a growing research field, 2) the sharing of data, novel methods, hypotheses, and theories of psychedelic action among leading figures in psychedelic neuroscience research.

Organizers:

CCNB/FU Berlin: Kasey Devitt

Gold Group: Jelena Brasanac

Larkum Group: Anna Bronec, Debapratim Jana, & Sarah Duverdin

Ott Group: Eric Lonergan

Psychedelic Substance Research Group: Dr. Timo Torsten Schmidt

The Memory Tapestry: Weaving Insights Across Different Systems and Levels

Memory allows individuals to navigate through space and time: we can keep track and adapt to our surroundings by storing information about the past that can also predict the future. Studying memory can also mean a variety of research modalities, from studying molecules to behavior. To understand these complex mechanisms, researchers are also able to utilize a variety of different methods, from cellular to animal to computational models. In this series we would like to bring forward the importance and diversity of memory systems, while disseminating information from experts in the field on the latest advancements and challenges in memory research.

Organizers:

Viana da Silva Group: Eva Maria Robles Hernandez & Rina Patel

Haberl Group: William Fernandes Paes de Barros

Dean Group: Shimon Jude Swer

Poulet Group: Annapoorani Udhayachandran