The aim of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics is to understand information processing in the brains of humans and animals. We use experimental, theoretical and computational methods to elucidate the characteristics and implementations of the cascades of plastic and recurrent interactions that transform sensory data into perceptions, memories, appropriate choices of actions, and motor output.

Understanding thought processes

The aim of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics is to understand information processing in the brains of humans and animals. We use experimental, theoretical and computational methods to elucidate the characteristics and implementations of the cascades of plastic and recurrent interactions that transform sensory data into perceptions, memories, appropriate choices of actions, and motor output.
I build mathematical and computational models of neural processing, with a particular emphasis on representation and learning. The main focus is on reinforcement learning and unsupervised learning, covering the ways that animals come to choose appropriate actions in the face of rewards and punishments, and the ways and goals of the process by which they come to form neural representations of the world. The models are informed and constrained by neurobiological, psychological and ethological data.

Computational Neuroscience
Peter Dayan

Heinrich H. Bülthoff

Human Perception, Cognition & Action
Heinrich Bülthoff

Prof. Dr. Nikos LogothetisThe focus in the “Physiology of Cognitive Processes” department is on visual perception in primates. Research is conducted primarily into the questions of where visual perception is represented in the brain, which neurological processes underlie object recognition and the integration of different sensual stimuli and how the brain learns. Using magnetic resonance tomography, these issues are examined in experiments that combine psychophysical and the electrophysiological approaches.

Physiology of Cognitive Processes
Nikos Logothetis

The Magnetic Resonance Center is the domicile of the youngest department at the institute. It addresses the methodical development and optimization of imaging processes. The main areas of interest are magnetic resonance tomography with very high magnetic fields and the development of new contrast media which help to provide a detailed view of the function and metabolism of the brain.

High-Field Magnetic Resonance
Klaus Scheffler

Currently there are five independent research groups located at the institute with different research foci.

Sensory and Sensorimotor Systems
Zhaoping Li

Jennifer Li & Drew Robson

Systems Neuroscience & Neuroengineering

Jennifer Li & Drew Robson

Xin Yu

Translational Neuroimaging & Neural Control

Xin Yu

Hamid Noori

Neuronal Convergence

Hamid Noori

Goran Angelovski

MR Neuroimaging Agents

Goran Angelovski

Anke Henning

MR Spectroscopy & Ultra-High Field Methodology

Anke Henning

Eric Schulz

Computational Principles of Intelligence

Eric Schulz


Talks & Events

Apart from scientific talks, various events are taking place on the campus and at our institute. This includes the regular day of the open house, but also seminars, workshops or conferences that we organize.

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Meet your Scientist

In this series we want to introduce you our latest research via an interview style with the respective scientist explaining their outcome(s) in a very simple way. Have fun!

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COVID-19

Current information on the situation at the Tübingen campus.

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News

Teaching artificial intelligence to have fun

August 04, 2020

What is fun and why do we find certain things easier to do if we particularly enjoy dealing with them? Franziska Brändle at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen gets to the bottom of this question. She examines key factors ...

Looking does not mean seeing

July 22, 2020

Spring 2020. The whole world is affected by the corona pandemic, and like everybody else, the lockdown and social distancing measures also have an influence on the research of Tübingen scientist Li Zhaoping, who leads the department for Sensory and ...

Job Offers

Lab Manager

July 30, 2020

Postdoctoral position in Neuroscience

July 27, 2020

Ph.D. position in Neuroscience

July 27, 2020

Ph.D. position in Human Psychophysics and Neuroimaging

July 27, 2020

Postdoctoral position in Human Psychophysics and Neuroimaging

July 27, 2020

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