Encoding information in neural circuits.
Although we know approximately how sensory input is routed through different brain areas, each extracting distinct aspects of the percept, the neuronal language used to represent sensory experiences and the mechanisms whereby these experiences are stored in memory remain elusive.
Our aim
Our group tries to unravel the neural coding strategies employed in the representation of sensory stimuli and memory storage. We combine electrophysiological recordings with single- and multi-photon imaging and stimulation to monitor and manipulate complex neuronal activity during behaviour in mice. Our ultimate aim is to discover fundamental neural coding principles underlying perception and memory.
Ongoing Projects
Our current research is broadly focused on three projects:
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Role of interneurons in somatosensory perception.
We study how different types of inhibitory interneurons are optimised for controlling neural codes. -
Role of hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex in associative memory.
We study the interplay of hippocampus and sensory cortices with the retrosplenial cortex during the formation and retrieval of associative memories. -
Tool development.
We develop novel approaches for recording and manipulating the function of large populations of neurons.
Lab News
- Apr/17: Welcome Zoe!
Zoe Curtis joins us for her FHS project. She will study synaptic plasticity rules in the superficial and deep layers of the retrosplenial cortex. - Apr/17: Welcome James and Veronika!
James Rowland and Veronika Samborska join us for their Trinity Term MSc Neuroscience project. James will study the role of inhibition in spike propagation in the somatosensory cortex. Veronika will be testing the role of the retrosplenial cortex in associative memory with cell-type specific optogenetics. - Mar/17: Oxford McGill ZNZ Partnership Grant!
Awarded Oxford McGill ZNZ Partnership Grant with Prof Gil Bub on fast multi-planar neuronal imaging. - Feb/17: Nerdy speed dating
Michael goes speed dating at Cosyne 2017 and matches with Kording and Sen lab-members. The beginning of beautiful friendships...
Join Us
Work with us:
If you share our interest in the link between brain activity and behaviour, get excited by neural circuits, and have a strong background in two-photon imaging and neurobiology, come join us! Email us to find out more.
Study with us:
Do you love neural circuits and would like to play with lasers and amplifiers? Join us for a FHS, MSc or DPhil project! Click here to Email us and get in touch to find out more about available projects and funding. We are affiliated with lots of Oxford's Doctoral Training Programmes, including the Wellcome Trust DPhil / MSc in Neuroscience, OXION , Systems Biology and the Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP.
Find out moreFunding
We gratefully acknowledge current funding from:
The Human Frontier Science Programme
The Oxford McGill ZNZ Partnership
Previous research has been made possible through generous support from:
Collaborators, Project Students and Visitors
We are lucky to be able to work with many inspiring researchers that are not core team members. With them, we share expertise, resources, reagents, personnel, and, occasionally, conference accommodation...
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