Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) Mainz

We are interested to understand the molecular and circuit mechanisms behind neural computations. We study this in the fly visual system, where the anatomy and connectivity of the ~100 cell types are known with exquisite details, and powerful genetic tools exist to measure and manipulate. The identity and contribution of many cell types to specific visual processing steps has been worked out. Any given cell type achieves a functional state based on the expression of specific sets of genes. We for example recently identified a single transcription factor that determines fundamentally different processing strategies in first order interneurons of the fly visual system, namely luminance vs. contrast sensitivity. We are now broadly interested to understand how gene regulatory mechanisms specify and maintain neuronal function. Neurons also maintain their functional properties longer than their subcellular components. This suggests cell intrinsic mechanisms that keep the cell in a transcriptional state that is critical for maintenance of the neuron’s properties. The key determinant of this transcriptional state is the control of gene expression via correlated action of transcription factors and chromatin proteins. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism behind gene expression control reveals the relationship between the gene expression and functional state.

Research website

Positions held

• Since 2019: W3 Professor, Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz
• 2015 - 2018: Group Leader at the European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (ENI-G)
• 2009 - 2014: Postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Thomas Clandinin, Stanford University
   

Education

• 2009: PhD with Dr. Christian Klämbt, University of Münster
• 2005: Diploma in Biology, University of Münster