Neurobiological basis of the integration of time in memories

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Dennis Pauls
• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 504082293

Specific memories enable humans and animals to store important information. The memory trace is based on synaptic plasticity, i.e. changes in synaptic connections or transmission between participating neurons. In addition to accurate memory formation, precise retrieval of stored information is also of utmost importance. Only when information is stored accurately and retrieved at the right time, a memory provides the expected benefits. Not only for humans, but perhaps especially in the animal kingdom, it is important to be in the right place at the right time. To do this, experiences must be encoded in time and space so that a particular place can be visited or avoided at the right time based on this memory. Specifically, animals have to avoid unpleasant or dangerous situations or find food and synchronise with reciprocal interaction partners. Time, in particular, plays a crucial role in this process, as many environmental features, especially the availability of food, show rhythmic changes during the day. Therefore, the integration of time in memories is of utmost importance to accurately remember a biologically significant event. We aim to combine high-resolution behavioural experiments, light microscopic and electron microscopic analyses, and live cell imaging (Ca2+ and FRET imaging) to identify the neuronal networks that allow time information, e.g. the time of day, to be integrated into the memory trace.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants