The Institute of Developmental Neurosciences was established 2020 at the Center for Center of Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH) under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ileana Hanganu-Opatz.
Research focus
The rhythm and melody of a piece of music is only conveyed successfully by an orchestra when each note is precisely timed, and when each instruments' "voice" is synchronized. The brain can also be considered an orchestra, with different brain regions representing "instruments" and each neuron being a precisely timed note. As in an orchestra, these components must coordinate their parts to create a meaningful "melody." Network oscillations have gained interest as an energy-efficient strategy for the organization and communication both within and between brain regions. In humans and animals oscillatory brain activity emerges very early in life, being already present in utero. While it is now known that these oscillations actively contribute to sensory perception and cognition in the adult brain, their function during development is still largely unknown.