Neural mechanisms that link action perception and motor execution have become a central topic in cognitive systems neurosience.
Experimental observations, like the one of 'mirror neurons', suggest that the control and perception of actions are tightly linked in the cortex. However, an understanding of the exactneural circuits that that match visual action observation and the control of motor behavior remains to be discovered.
Goal of the project is the development of a physiologically plausible neural theory of action understanding that is closely based on electrophysiological results. The project will be realized in tight interaction with electrophysiologist and offers the possibility to take part in the development of new methods for the study of mirror neurons. The main focus will be the development of physiologically plausible models.
The Department of Cognitive Neurology and the Section for Computational Sensomotorics are part of the Werner Reichardt Center for Integrative Neurosciences and the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research in Tbingen. It also is part of the newly funded Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience.
Tbingen offers the possibility of a PhD in Neuroscience in the Graduate Training Center of Neuroscience. The project will be jointly directed by Prof. M. Giese (Theoretical Neurosience) and Prof. P Thier (Physiology).
M. Giese's laboratory works on the computational and neural mechanisms of body motion perception, combining modeling, machine learning, and behavioral and imaging techniques.
P. Thier's laboratory works on the neural basis of perception and action, using electrophysiological techniques, combined with imaging techniques and clinical studies.
