RTG 1589/2: Sensory Computation in Neural Systems

The scientific program is focused on sensory processing and perception. Since perception is task dependent (“perception serves a purpose”), sensory processing is connected to cognitive functions (decision making, memory function, planning, and even motion control) and should be linked to performance measures. Hence almost all experiments will be carried out in a behavioural context and involve animals as well as human subjects. Exploring new ideas from the dynamical systems and machine learning fields, theoretical concepts will be developed for linking distinct levels of abstraction.