Welcome at the department of Neuroethology - Sensory Ecology

Prof. Dr. Gerhard von der Emde and his group are studying the neural basis of animal behaviour and sensory perception (Neuroethology), as well as the adaptation of sensory systems to natural environments (Sensory Ecology).

We are investigating how animals perceive their natural surroundings with their sense organs and how their brains process sensory information in order to elicit adequate behaviours.

Our research is focussed on several topics:

 Ecology:

Investigation of the natural environments to which sensory structures have adapted during evolution

 Behaviour:

Investigation of natural behaviours and the ability of animals to perceive natural stimuli

 Neurophysiology:

Investigation of the physiology of neurons and brain structures

 Neuroanatomy:

Investigation of the morphology of neurons and their connections in sensory, senso-motoric and motoric structures of the brain

 Biomimetics – Bionics - Bionik:

Design of technical sensor systems working according to the principles of biological models