The lab of Professor Egert is interested in processing in generic neuronal networks, new techniques for neuronal network electrophysiology, dopaminergic modulation of neuronal activity, as well as the role dendrite morphology on electrical activity. This is pursued through recording and analysis of the spatial and temporal structure of electrical activity in neuronal networks in slices, cell and tissue cultures, based on spontaneous and stimulated activity as well as its pharmacological modulation. Intracellular whole-cell patch clamp recordings helps to identify single neuron properties and pairwise connectivity, in conjunction with the network activity recorded simultaneously with microelectrode arrays (MEA).

Beyond neurophysiology the lab investigated the differentiation and structure of electrical activity in cardiac networks and develop applications for biological neuronal networks in drug screening. Previous projects addressed the use of biosensors to identify molecular markers associated with changing states of neuronal activity.

Prof. Ulrich Egert

Principal Investigator in

• A5-BCCN: Relational Learning
• B1-BCCN: Defined Networks
• B2-BCCN: Hybrid Networks 
• B5-BCCN: Spike Tools
• C1-BCCN: Hippocampal Epilepsy
• A4-BFNT: Adaptive interception of epileptic events based on predictive network dynamics
• A5-BFNT: Defined stimulus-response functions in active networks
• D3: NEURO – Towards the Neuronal Machines (EU) 
• D11: Development of a predictive in vitro test for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) 
• BrainLinks - BrainTools

Research Topics

• Clarifying mechanisms and functions of the spatial and temporal dynamics of activity in natural and artificial biological neuronal networks under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
• Development of techniques suitable to monitor and modulate the dynamics of electrical activity in biological tissue and their adaptation for biomedical applications.
• Neurotechnological hybrid systems
• Recording and analysis of spatial and temporal structure of electrical activity in neuronal networks in slices, cell and tissue cultures
• Processing in generic neuronal networks
• New techniques for neuronal network electrophysiology
• Dopaminergic transmission in the cerebellum
• Role of protein kinase C modulation of dendrite morphology on electrical activity
• Differentiation and structure of electrical activity in cardiac networks
• Applications for biological neuronal networks
• Biosensors