J. Simon Wiegert, Lab head, ​CV
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I am interested in the relationship between functional and structural adaptations and long-term stability of neuronal circuits. I am especially focused on the question how synapses contribute to long-term information storage. In the lab, we are tackling this question developing and using optical tools in combination with optical imaging to manipulate and measure hippocampal circuits at various levels ranging from single synapses to neuronal ensembles.  
Andrey Formozov, Postdoc

​I am establishing advanced methods of low-light detection in neurobiology with bioluminescent genetically encoded indicators. I perform measurements in vitro with hippocampal slices and in vivo in freely-behaving animals such as mice and Drosophila larvae (in collaboration with Peter Soba's lab). 
Alexander Dieter, Postdoc

My interest is to learn more about learning: Which internal and external factors are contributing to a successful learning process and finally lead to memory formation? I am combining optogenetic, physiological and behavioral approaches to hopefully get one step closer to the answer.
Maxime Maheu, Postdoc

In the lab, I am interrogating the possibility that brainstem arousal systems control the iterative update of beliefs during learning through the modulation of cortical gain. To this aim, I rely on a cross-species approach, combining experiments in mice (using optogenetics and photometry) and humans (using magnetoencephalography, with the Donner lab). Pupil size provides a non-invasive readout of the activity of these deep brain structures available in both species. Finally, computational models resting on Bayesian inference provide a unified and principled theoretical framework of the learning process.
Mauro Pulin, PhD student
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My Ph.D. project aims at investigating the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlining rewiring of a defined synaptic circuit triggered by neuronal activity, focusing on dendritic spines in organotypic hippocampal slice preparations. My goal is to understand whether chronically perturbing the activity at identified synapses has an impact on their lifetime.
Cynthia Rais, PhD student

I am interested in better understanding the relationship between cellular activity and spine dynamics in vivo. Manipulating the activity in the hippocampus thanks to optogenetics tools, I am using two-photon microscopy for in vivo calcium and spine imaging in anesthetized or awake mice in order to follow spines of active neurons in time.
Jama Wahid, MD PhD student
Yasmine Shalaby, Master student

Ever since choosing to study Biological Sciences, I have been fascinated by how our brain works, especially how we perceive and interpret different inputs that mainly trigger the formation of synapses. The term “Optogenetics” hit me while working as a Science Communicator in my undergraduate studies. In the lab, I am testing new variants of the bidirectional optogenetic tool termed “BiPOLES”. To investigate these tools, I am working on organotypic hippocampal slice culture, performing single-cell electroporation, viral transduction, whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and two-photon imaging. 
Outside the lab, I write scripts for a TV show in my home country to simplify the science curriculum for school children, play bowling with bad skills and am a “F.R.I.E.N.D.S” geek

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Adrianna Nozownik, Master student
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As a MSc student, I appreciate learning a lot about synaptic transmission and optogenetics in our lab. For my master thesis, I am working with a new optogenetic tool. Using patch clamp electrophysiology and two-photon imaging, I study its efficiency and observe its effects on synaptic transmission between hippocampal CA3 and CA1 cells in organotypic slice cultures. 
​Chantal Wissing, Master student

In my master thesis I would like to develop a better understanding of the brain regions from which the hippocampus is receiving neuromodulatory innervations. Using whole-brain viral expression of fluorescent reporters I will systematically evaluate the sources for dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and acetylcholine in the dorsal hippocampus.
Stefan Schillemeit, Technical assistant

I take care of everything that just accumulates, especially PCR's, preparing mouse brains for immunhistochemistry, supply, stock-taking, ordering procedures, accounting, helping everybody with everything is needed and sustaining a general good mood   ;-)
​Kathrin Sauter, Technical assistant

Alumni
Silvia Rodriguez-Rozada, PhD student

​Shining light into the mysteries of the brain. In the lab I like to keep myself busy characterizing new optogenetic tools for the precise manipulation of neuronal circuits. We have recently developed bistable anion-conducting channelrhodopsisn with a long-lasting conducting state that allows silencing of neurons for many minutes after a short light flash. By combining optogenetics with patch-clamp, two-photon calcium imaging and chronic morphology imaging I investigate functional and structural synaptic plasticity at hippocampal spiny interneurons in organotypic slice cultures. 
Wei Yang, PhD student

I am currently a PhD student in the non-medical PhD Programme at UKE investigating the functional and structural plasticity of hippocampus in vivo under different anesthetics and awake conditions. I am further interested in understanding the neural circuits that mediate motivated behaviors.
​Patrick Piechocinski, Master student
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Ever since I started to study biology I have been interested in neuroscience. For my Master Thesis I am investigating the role of catecholamines on the synaptic transmission of CA1 pyramidal cells in the dorsal hippocampus (dHC). For this purpose I am using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in CA1 while simultaneously stimulating CA3 Schaffer-Collaterals in the presence of catecholamines in hippocampal acute slices.
Joaquín Isaac Hurtado-Zavala, Postdoc





​Jiajia Yang, guest scientist