Neuronal mechanisms of context-dependent memory retrieval

• Applicant: Dr. Dennis Goldschmidt, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology ; Experimental and Theoretical Network Neuroscience
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 559328857

Contextual control of memory retrieval is essential for adaptive behavior, enabling organisms to recall relevant memories in the right situations while avoiding maladaptive responses. In this project, I explore the neuronal mechanisms by which the Drosophila brain accesses fear memories based on sensory and spatial contextual cues, a process pivotal for navigating complex environments and potentially relevant to understanding human memory disorders. I will establish a novel, multifaceted approach that combines in vivo imaging, behavioral learning assays, and genetic manipulations to simultaneously monitor neuronal activity, behavior, and contextual cues. This approach will allow me to investigate how spatial movement and visual context influence memory retrieval at the neuronal circuit level. By dissecting the roles of neurons in the mushroom body, lateral horn, and their interactions with the central complex, I aim to provide a comprehensive model of how contextual information modulates memory dynamics in Drosophila. The findings from this project will not only deepen our understanding of memory mechanisms in simpler organisms but also uncover computational principles of context-dependent memory, offering insights into both biological systems and potential applications for addressing memory disorders.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Host: Dr. Johannes Felsenberg