Our research group focuses on elucidating how neural circuits perform different computations to extract sensory information from the environment and how these circuits guide behaviour. In particular, we focus on colour vision in the genetically tractable model organism Drosophila. Our investigations span multiple levels of analysis:

Molecular- and cellular mechanisms underlying colour processing: Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in combination with genetic manipulation of neural activity or gene expression in specific circuit elements, we reveal how complex physiological properties of neurons like spatial receptive fields are shaped by the interaction of individual cell types and identify the underlying molecular mechanisms.  

Neural Circuits mediating colour discrimination: Our investigations involve analysing innate colour preference and conducting colour conditioning experiments. By using genetic methods for circuit manipulation in the behaving animal, we assess the role of specific cell types in colour vision.

The IQCB's emphasis on machine learning and quantitative analysis closely aligns with our group's research interest, offering a fertile ground for interdisciplinary collaboration. In particular, we aim at improving quantitative methodologies to analyse extensive datasets and to develop computational models for visual processing.

Positions held 

Since 2021   
Group Leader, Institute of Developmental and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany

2013 - 2021   
Research Fellow, Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany

Education

2008 - 2013   
Ph.D. in Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany. Research at the Max-Planck-Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany

2003 - 2008   
Studies in Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Germany