Alessio Attardo Ph.D. - Group Leader (CV) 

I am a neurobiologist fascinated by how cells store and compute information. I am interested in how networks of neurons in the brain acquire and recall memories. After completing my undergraduate studies in biology I moved to the Max Planck Institute of Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden (Germany) for my Ph.D. There I described the lineage of progenitors that constitute the major source of neurons in the mammalian neocortex. As a postdoc at Stanford University I developed a novel chronic deep-brain optical imaging technique to study long-term plasticity of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus of live mice. Ihave investigated structural plasticity in hippocampal neurons as the cellular foundation of memory. I have also investigated how representations of experience in the hippocampus evolve during weeks and how the ability of such representations to discriminate different experiences declines with aging.

Hadi Mirzapourdelavar, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral fellow    

Hannah Klimmt - Ph.D. Student 

After my undergraduate studies in molecular medicine at the University of Tübingen, I decided to dive deeper into the fascinating field of neuroscience. I joined the A-Lab as PhD student to investigate the dynamics of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the CA1 underlying hippocampal-dependent learning. To track these connections over time I’m using in vivo two-photon imaging. Ultimately, I want to see if targeted genetic manipulation of projecting neurons to pyramidal neurons in CA1 could change its synaptic dynamics and memory recall.

Bhargavi Murthy - Ph.D.  Student

I hold a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology, from India, and a Master’s in Neuroscience from the University of Ulm. After getting a taste of The A-Lab during my master thesis, I joined as a PhD student to investigate homeostatic plasticity in the dorsal hippocampal CA1, using deep brain two-photon optical imaging. I study how excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the CA1 respond to hypo- and hyperactivity. I am passionate about Science Communication and I am part of SoapBox Science and oher outreach activities by the MaxPlanck PhDNet. In my free time, you’ll find me trying DIYs for zero-waste and sustainable living.

Nicki Panagiotou -  Student assistant

After completing my Bachelor's in Biology in Greece, I moved to the Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg to pursue a Master's degree in Neuroscience, which I was always fascinated by. I joined the A-lab as a student assistant, contributing to ongoing projects. I am currently analyzing data to explore the dynamics between CA3 and CA1 engram neurons, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the hippocampal representational drift. 

Lasse Büchen-  M.D.-Ph.D. student

After my first state examination at Philipps-University Marburg, I moved to Magdeburg where - during my fourth year of studies - I joined the A-lab. Here I am currently carrying out my medical doctoral thesis, focusing on the role of hippocampal CA1 inhibitory synaptic plasticity in the formation of place cells, by using intravital deep-brain two-photon microscopy. On the long term I am keen on investigating how the interaction between inhibitory synaptic plasticity and spatial representations affects learning and memory.