News 2010
The German Academy of Sciences "Leopoldina" has elected Ad Aertsen, director of the Bernstein Center Freiburg, as a new member of the society.
10.12.2010: The German Academy of Sciences "Leopoldina" is the world’s oldest academy involved in natural sciences. It was founded in 1652 and was appointed Germany's National Academy of Sciences in July 2008. Scientists who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating academic excellence are elected as members of the society.
New article in PLoS Computational Biology: Self-Organized Criticality in Developing Neuronal Networks
03.12.2010: PLoS Computational Biology has published an article, co-authored by members of the BCCN Göttingen, the Bernstein Center Freiburg, and the Neuroinformatics Group of Amsterdam University. In their paper, the authors describe the maturation of cortical cell cultures and their mathematical analysis and network modeling to elucidate the different phases observed during development.
New article in the Journal of Neuroscience: Gating of signal propagation in spiking neural networks by balanced and correlated excitation and inhibition
25.11.2010: In every waking minute, we have to make decisions – sometimes within a split second. Neuroscientists at the Bernstein Center Freiburg have now discovered a possible explanation how the brain chooses between alternative options. The key lies in extremely fast changes in the communication between single nerve cells.
Children's holiday program at the Bernstein Center
22.11.2010: During this year's autumn school break, the BCF hosted the holiday program of the University's family service. In the first week of November, the children of university employees spent their time with two educators and explored the world of ghosts and vampires in our center.
BCF launches new PhD program: The Bernstein Center Freiburg consolidates its role as a hub for neuroscience with the launch of the PhD program iCoNeT.
16.11.2010: Over four years, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. With the founding of iCoNeT (“international PhD program in Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology”), the BCF expands its existing program to include the new field neurotechnology. ‘With iCoNeT, we furthermore establish a long-term basis for our PhD program,’ says BCF teaching & training coordinator Dr Janina Kirsch. ‘It will exist independently of the various funding schemes under which young researchers conduct their PhD projects with us, giving continuity to the process.’ Current and future third-party funded initiatives of the BCF will thus be able to make use of an established program and infrastructure.
Joint Master in Neuroscience wins „Prix Bartholdi“
08.11.2010: On November 5, 2010, the Joint Master in Neuroscience was awarded this year’s „Prix Bartholdi“. The award recognises the efforts of the universities of Strasbourg, Basel and Freiburg in creating a Master’s programme that combines the strengths of neuroscientific institutions in the Upper Rhine valley to offer an international degree in the highest standards.
“Emotions”: Art exhibition at the Bernstein Center Freiburg
28.10.2010: During November and December, the hallways of the BCF will become the venue of an art exhibition: Oliver Wrobel presents a series of his works, titled “Emotions”. Wrobel's paintings belong to the movement of “informal art”, depicting neither concrete objects or scenes, nor adhering to the geometric strictness of abstract art. The intent is clearly to display the fluidity of forms, and Wrobel makes use of strong colours and contrasts in his paintings to explore the effects on the emotional balance and the human condition.
IMTEK photo wins first prize for scientific photography
21.10.2010: As delicate and graceful as a fragile flower blooming in the sun: that's what microsystems engineering looks like, at least through the lens of scientific photographer Bernd Müller. Müller was awarded first prize in the category photography/single photo in the PUNKT awards for scientific journalism. Müller accepted the prize at a ceremony in Berlin attended by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. The photo from the domain medical technology/neurotechnology captures an implantable electrode array and was shot at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) in the lab of BCF member Thomas Stieglitz.
Talk is silver, silence is golden: effects of refractoriness on neuronal signalling
14.10.2010: Upon first view, the basic building blocks of our brain – the neurons – appear to have a serious limitation: no matter how much excitation they receive from other nerve cells, there is a limit on the frequency at which they will respond by emitting electrical pulses of their own. Scientists have now shown that the forced pause between any two consecutive impulses is actually an advantageous trait.
Prediction of epileptic seizures by analyzing brain waves
07.10.2010: A team of physicists, physicians and neuroscientists at the Bernstein Center of the University Freiburg made a step forward towards the ambitious goal of predicting epileptic seizures, as published in the latest issue of the journal “Epilepsia”. Professor Andreas Schulze-Bonhage, head of the Epilepsy Center at the University Hospital Freiburg: “Unfortunately, a considerable fraction of all epilepsy patients do not respond well to commonly used pharmaceuticals. For these patients, an automatic prediction of their suddenly occurring seizures would offer great benefit – they could prepare for the epileptic attack, for example by taking fast-acting medicine.”
Book publication by BCF/RIKEN members: "Analysis of Parallel Spike Trains"
27.09.2010: Stefan Rotter (BCF) and Sonja Gruen (RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Japan and Bernstein Center Berlin) edited the book "Analysis of Parallel Spike Trains". With 20 individual contributions, written by leading experts in the field, the book offers a comprehensive overview over state-of-the-art methods for the analysis of coordinated neuronal activity in the brain. It is directed at scientists and advanced students from the fields of Systems Neurobiology and Computational Neuroscience. The book is available now.
Article by BCF/RIKEN members published in PLoS Computational Biology
10.09.2010: Using computer simulations of brain-like networks, researchers from Germany and Japan have discovered why nerve cells transmit information through small electrical pulses. Not only allows this the brain to process information much faster than previously thought: single neurons are already able to multiply, opening the door to more complex forms of computing.
"Badische Zeitung" interviews BCF director Ad Aertsen
2010.01.09: The "Badische Zeitung", regional newspaper in the southwest of Germany, interviewed director Ad Aertsen on the occasion of the foundation of the Bernstein Center Freiburg.
Nature Reviews Neuroscience publishes article by BCF members
20.08.2010: Reliable propagation of spiking activity in the brain is vital for information processing. BCF members Arvind Kumar, Stefan Rotter and Ad Aertsen propose in a new review article that under certain conditions asynchronous and synchronous propagation of spiking activity can co-exist in a modular neuronal network, and they suggest experimental strategies to test this hypothesis.
Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience started
02.08.2010: On August 2, the Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience (ACCN) started at the Bernstein Center Freiburg. For one month, 30 students from around the world will attend lectures and work on projects spanning the whole width of this dynamic field of research.
A new hub for the neurosciences: Bernstein Center consolidates research in Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology
12.07.2010: What are the theoretical foundations of brain function? And how can this knowledge be applied, for example in the development of prostheses and interfaces that directly connect to the nervous system? For years, scientists at the University of Freiburg have devoted themselves to answering these questions. Now, the foundation of the Bernstein Center Freiburg as one of the university’s central scientific facilities provides a platform to consolidate this branch of research in Freiburg.
Position of Professor of Neurobiology and Neurotechnology
06.07.2010: The Faculty of Biology at the Albert-Ludwig University Freiburg invites applications for the position of Full Professor (BesGr. W3, tenured) of Neurobiology and Neurotechnology to be filled as early as possible. The tasks associated with the position include teaching in the field of Neurobiology and Neurotechnology. The candidate's research should be in the field of systems neuroscience, covering sensorimotor learning in mammalian models and humans, as well as neurotechnology and its applications.
BFNT member Niels Birbaumer receives Helmholtz Medal
28.06.2010: The Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities honors Niels Birbaumer with one of its highest awards. For his scientific achievements in the field of biological psychology, particularly also for his research on the plasticity of the human brain, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities awards Niels Birbaumer with the Helmholtz Medal.
New publication by BCF members in the Journal of Computational Neuroscience
10.06.2010: Jens Kremkow, Laurent U. Perrinet, Guillaume S. Masson and Ad Aertsen published an article on "Functional consequences of correlated excitatory and inhibitory conductances in cortical networks" in the journal's current issue
Honorary doctorate for member of the Bernstein Center Freiburg: For his important contributions to the field of neuroanatomy, the Goethe University Frankfurt bestowed an honorary degree upon Prof. Michael Frotscher.
02.06.2010: Prof. Frotscher is the head of the Department of Neuroanatomy in the Institute of Anatomy and Principal Investigator in two projects of the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience at the University of Freiburg. Internationally, Frotscher enjoys a high reputation in the field of neurobiology. His scientific research added greatly to our understanding about processes of stratification in the hippocampus and the cortex of the vertebrate brain. More specifically, Prof. Frotscher investigates the role of reelin, a protein that helps regulating processes of neuronal migration and positioning in the developing brain.
BCF members to edit special issue of Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience
04.05.2010: Arvind Kumar, Stefano Cardanobile, Stefan Rotter and Ad Aertsen will be guest editors of a special topic issue of "Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience", an open access journal. The topic is "Structure, dynamics and function of brains: exploring relations and constraints".
Junior Professorship Programme supports research on neuronal basis of movements
13.04.2010: The activity of neurons is the basis for movement patterns in animals and humans alike. Up to now, it is largely unknown how the structure and activity of a neuronal network shapes the composition of complex movements. Abigail Morrison, Junior Professor at the Faculty of Biology and the Bernstein Center at the University of Freiburg, is trying to find an answer to this question. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science now awarded her research with a grant of 150,000 €.
Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience held in Freiburg
25.02.2010: For the third and final time, the Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience (ACCN) is held this summer at the Bernstein Center Freiburg. Applications are still possible until April 2, 2010. From August 2-27, the course will offer 30 successful applicants the opportunity to learn about Computational Neuroscience from a number of experts in the field, while at the same time working on their own research project under the guidance of experienced tutors.
Lecture by Prof. Stefan Rotter available as web video
09.02.2010: The lecture "Dynamics of recurrent pulse-coupled networks in the brain", held by Prof. Stefan Rotter at the Physics Colloquium on November 30, 2009, is now available online.