Stage: Visual processing in awake behaving mice

Animal handling and training, programming, extracellular recordings and/or two-photon imaging, data analysis, possibly extended with histological techniques and microscopy.
To be determined - at least for 5 months
Dagelijkse begeleiding
To be decided
Senior Tutor


Vision and Cognition

Mice are an increasingly studied animal model in visual neuroscience. However, much of the data recorded from mice so far was collected from anesthetized animals. We study visual processing in awake mice, while they perform visual tasks. Stimuli are presented on a screen, and the mouse responds by either blinking, licking, running or pressing a lever. The first part of the project consists of training the mice on the task and collecting behavioral data. In the second part, physiological data will be recorded from primary visual cortex with either extracellular recording or with various imaging techniques such as two-photon microscopy, while the animal performs its task.

The student will be involved in handling and training of the animals, collecting behavioral and physiological (extracellular recordings or imaging) data, analysis of data and writing a manuscript about the study. For this we need the student to be available full time for at least 5 months and the student must be willing to learn how to program in Matlab. Also should the student be aware that we do not have funding, nor housing.

If you are interested in this project, please respond by sending 1) a motivation letter, 2) your CV and 3) grades from your bachelor and/or master.

Thank you for your interest in our lab!