Prof. Dr. Gerhard von der Emde

We study how animals behave, orient and navigate in their natural habitats. We are especially interested in the processing of sensory information and in cognitive abilities, such as learning and memory, object recognition, communication, decision making and others. One of our natural model systems are weakly electric fish from Africa (Mormyriforms) and South America (Gymnotiforms), which posses an electric sense. We are investigating environmental imaging of objects through active and passive electrolocation, as well as electro-communication. In the second model system, the zebrafish (Danio rerio), we examine the process of cognitive aging, as well as the neuropharmacology of learning and memory. The focus lies on the fish’s neuromodulator/neurotransmitter systems (endocannabinoid-, GABAergic systems).