The brain contains many ingenious networks of billions of interconnected neurons. Can you imagine that, together, they have an information processing capacity and flexibility that far exceeds modern supercomputers, or any artificial intelligent system? In this specialisation, we aim at unravelling the neuro-computational mechanisms of this fascinating, complex system and use this knowledge for relevant applications, such as robotics and neuro-technology.
Themes
The major topics in the Neurophysics specialisation are:
Sensory-motor integration
We study sensorimotor control mechanisms (eye-head-hand coordination), sensory processing (vision, audition, touch, and balance), and memory and learning. We also identify their underlying neuro-computational processes, their relevance for robotics and neuro-technology, like the development of neuro-prostheses, and the clinical implications in case of malfunction.
Machine learning, Neuroinformatics, and Artificial Intelligence
The computational and theoretical analysis of complex neural networks, ranging from simulating large-scale interactions between individual neurons, to communication between different brain areas, and the closed-loop interactions between brain, body and environment. The theoretical work focuses on the development of machine-learning and artificial intelligence models, and on the applications of optimal control.
