Title:  Neuronal circuit physiology of learning, motivation & decision making

In an ever-changing world, we need to detect, predict and behaviourally respond to important stimuli on short and longer time scales. Particularly in the vertebrate brain, neuronal circuit adaptations mainly generated by associative reinforcement learning are the fundament of remote memory formation and guided behavioural choices. In sensory learning, organisms have to extract and amplify a small number of sensory features with behavioural relevance to a particular situation.

In this context, the primary auditory cortex plays a fundamental role in auditory learning and memory, and decision making. Utilizing multichannel electrophysiology recordings of the auditory cortex in freely moving animals, we could demonstrate that not only sensory, but particularly task- and choice-related information is represented in the neuronal population code distributed across cortical layers. By optogenetic stimulation of reward circuits, we shed light on the underlying functional circuit mechanisms of dopaminergic neuromodulation, as a key element of coding prediction and surprise in the brain.

The Max Planck-University of Toronto Centre for Neural Science and Technology (MPUTC) was inaugurated in April 2021. The MPUTC will offer a joint Ph.D. program between the Max Planck Society (MPG) and the University of Toronto (U of T) in the following research areas:

• Developing novel tools for observing and stimulating neural activity
• Conducting neurobiology experiments that use advance tools
• Analyzing data, creating models, and making predictions about neural activity

The MPUTC will fund U of T-registered Ph.D. students who are jointly supervised by a MPG scientist (e.g., director, group leader, senior scientist) and a U of T faculty carrying research in the above themes.

Information Session
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (EDT) | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (CET)

A new research partnership: The Max Planck – University of Toronto Centre for Neural Science & Technology, is launching with an inaugural event on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021.
Join the event to hear from the presidents at both partnering institutions, President Meric Gertler of University of Toronto and President Martin Stratmann of Max-Planck Gesellschaft as they celebrate this exciting collaboration.

Virtual Signing
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM (EDT) | 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM (CEST)

Scientific Talks
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (EDT) | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (CEST)