Our research – Core of the SFB 1280
6 billion neurons, interconnected billions of times. Plenty of space for the brain to anchor memories. Extinction learning is extremely complex; the SFB 1280 therefore has a clear concept for its research.
In the SFB 1280, 19 sub-projects are working on a central topic with a wide variety of questions: forgetting. All subprojects are guided by the SFB’s 8 overarching hypotheses.
Here you will find an overview of everything that is part of our research or has arisen from it – from our publications and collaborations to the technical equipment, our citizen science project “Menschen erzählen” and the research culture of the SFB 1280.
The hypotheses – Central questions
Does forgetting simply mean erasing old information? Does the extinction process differ depending on whether we forget something good or bad? What role does context play? And which areas of the brain form the extinction network in the first place?
All these and more are the central questions of the SFB 1280.
The subprojects – Achieving great things together
Extinction learning is a wide-ranging and multifaceted topic that our subprojects address from a variety of perspectives. In animal models, in humans, in MRI scanners or by looking at hormonal interactions – the SFB 1280 is proud of its broad range of research methods.
The publications – Results of our work
Since 2017, the SFB 1280 has contributed to international research on the topic of forgetting with over 300 publications. With new findings from its own studies through to the exchange of perspectives in editorials, the SFB 1280 is a central component of research into extinction learning.
The infrastructure – Technology that makes research possible
As a supra-university and supra-regional research network, the SFB 1280 can rely on a wide range of hardware. In addition to 3T and 7T MRI and PET scanners, high-channel EEG caps and TMS systems, there is also access to high-performance microscopy equipment and material for influencing behavioral experiments.
The research culture – Sustainable work through Open Science
The correct handling of research data, a constant application orientation of our research, open science and the topic of animal experiments – all of this is particularly important to us in the SFB 1280. Central to this is the INF project, which deals with all matters relating to research meta-questions and the constant support of our researchers.
Cooperation – Exchange, integration and support
Even beyond the boundaries of the SFB, we are always interested in fresh ideas and new perspectives. We are happy about the input of our fellows, the regular meetings with our colleagues from the Berlin-Bochum Memory Alliance and are particularly proud of our cooperative citizen science project “Menschen erzählen” (People tell stories), which was developed in collaboration with the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
