Form follows function

The computational neuroscientist Alexander Ecker from the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS) has received a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). Photo: A Ecker University of Göttingen computational neuroscientist receives ERC Starting Grant of 1.5 million euros The computational neuroscientist Professor Alexander Ecker from the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS) has received a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The ERC has awarded his project "Deep Neuron Embeddings: Data-driven multi-modal discovery of cell types in the neocortex" a total of 1.5 million euros over five years. Ecker and his team want to find out how the shape of a neuron in the cerebral cortex relates to its function. "Form follows function" - this principle, which later formed the basis of the Bauhaus style, was proclaimed by the early 20^th century architect Louis Sullivan to be a universal law of nature. "Whether this also applies to the brain, however, is currently unknown," says Ecker, describing the background to his work. "For example, it is not yet clear exactly how the shape and function of the neurons in the cerebral cortex are related." Building upon recent scientific advances, Ecker and his team can now address this question.