The Tiesinga group in the Neuroinformatics department currently has three research themes. First, to understand processing of sensory information in the brain, and the modulation thereof by cognitive factors, at the level of networks of spiking neurons. This is accomplished by building biophysical models ranging in size from single neurons up to many hundred thousands of neurons.
Second, to develop methods to analyze multivariate data recorded from the brain in order to quantify communication between cortical networks. This is accomplished by determining robust ways of determining the Granger causality and applying information theoretical approaches. Third, to test theoretical hypotheses at the cortical microcircuit level by recording from cultures.
Within the department, Dr. Francesco Battaglia uses a systems neuroscience approach to study how the interaction between brain areas subserves memory and other cognitive processes.