Dirk Schubert

The scaffold of proper structural and functional organization of the neuronal (cortical) networks is depending on the activity of a multitude of different transcription factors, growth factors and neuromodulators during brain development. In our group, we currently focus on the structural and functional organization and maturation of glutamatergic and GABAergic neural networks contributing to excitatory/inhibitory balance on two levels and with two translational links: - The role of the neuromodulator serotonin on the development of the somatosensory system. - (Epi)genetic factors and neuronal network formation in cellular model systems (rodent & human) for intellectual disability, ASD, schizophrenia and epilepsy. For our research we combine in rodent acute brain slice preparations as well as neuronal cultures (rodent & human IPS cell derived) molecular, neuroanatomical, electrophysiological in vitro techniques (single/paired cell patch clamp, multielectrode array recordings, optogenetics), modelling as well as behavioural approaches, partially via intense collaborations with other research groups.