Laboratory of Synaptic Mechanisms

The Laboratory of Synaptic Mechanisms at EPFL, led by Prof. Ralf Schneggenburger, focuses on understanding how neurons in the brain communicate to give rise to sensory perception and behaviors. Using fear conditioning as a model, the lab investigates synaptic plasticity and circuits involved in threat learning. Specifically, they study the integration of synaptic pathways in the insular cortex related to fear processing. The lab employs optogenetic tools, virus-based tracing, and functional mapping techniques in mice to explore synaptic connections and plasticity underlying fear learning.