Petersen Lab

Our goal is to understand the neuronal mechanisms involved in memory and cognition and how imbalances in the circuits can lead to pathological conditions. In particular, we study spatial memory, and theta oscillations in behaving rats, and how the distributed populations of neurons across the distributed brain circuits central to memory, are coordinating their dynamics to generate complex cognitive functions.

Read more about the Petersen Lab here

 

Our goal is to understand the neuronal mechanisms involved in memory and cognition and how imbalances in the circuits can lead to pathological conditions. In particular, we study spatial memory, and theta oscillations in behaving rats, and how the distributed populations of neurons across the distributed brain circuits central to memory, are coordinating their dynamics to generate complex cognitive functions.

We are using state-of-the-art methods for measuring and manipulating the neuronal activity at large-scale and high specificity, together with advanced data analysis. This includes using Neuropixels and other high-density silicon probes, applying optogenetics, thermal and other perturbation techniques, dimensionality reduction, and other advanced population-analysis methods.

We are also strong supporters of open science and have developed multiple tools and solutions for the neuroscience community (both software and hardware solutions) and we are sharing our data and code for published studies. Check out our website for further information: https://petersenlab.org/

 

 

 

Research Experience

2022-present: Assistant Professor and Group Leader at the Department of Neuroscience at University of Copenhagen.

2016-2022: Postdoc fellow with Gyorgy Buzsaki, NYU Langone Medical Center, USA.

2015: Postdoc fellow with Rune W. Berg, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Education

2015: Ph.D. from University of Copenhagen

  • Rune Berg’s laboratory at the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology
    “Neuronal Population dynamics and Multifunctionalism in the Central Nervous System”. Techniques: electrophysiology, ­intracellular and multiunit recordings.
    www.berg-lab.net
  • György Buzsáki’s laboratory at New York University (6 months, 2012-2013)
    Study: The Head-dire­ction system in thalamus during different brain states. In collaboration with Dr. Adrien Peyrache. Techniques: in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, high-density single-unit recordings, spike sorting.
    www.buzsakilab.com

2010: Master of Science in Engineering Physics: Technical University of Denmark

  • Focus on Biophysics and Neuroscience
    Selected Courses: Computational Neuroscience, Neurophysics, Cellular Biophysics, Introduction to Cognitive Psychology, Introduction to Systems Biology.
  • Thesis in Neuroscience
    “Neuronal Population Coding during Functional Motor Activity – A Multiunit Study in the Spinal Cord”. Supervisors: Jakob Kisbye Dreyer & Kirstine Berg Sørensen.
  • Study abroad at University of Maryland in Washington D.C. (6 months, 2007)
    Courses: Neurobiology Laboratory, Introduction to Neuroscience, Introduction to Cognitive Science.

Special Training

Berkeley course in mining and modeling of neuroscience data 2015. Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, UC Berkeley, California USA. July 6-17 2015. crcns.org/course

Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience: ACCN 2014. Frankfurt, Germany August 3-30 2014. 4 weeks course in computational methods and theoretical neuroscience. 

Scientific awards and honors

2022: Lundbeck Fellow starting grant
2020: Kavli Foundation NWB Seed Grant
2018-2019: Lundbeckfonden Post-doctoral fellowship
2016-2017: Danish Council for Independent Research Postdoctoral fellowship
2015: Alfred Benzon Post-doctoral Fellowship
2013: The Brain Prize Young investigator travel grant

 

Description of techniques

We are using state-of-the-art methods for measuring and manipulating the neuronal activity at large-scale and high specificity, together with advanced data analysis. 

Large-scale electrophysiology: We implant Neuropixels probes and other high-density silicon probes to record hundreds of single neurons and population dynamics across multiple brain regions in behaving rodents. 

Circuit and behavioral perturbation: We use optogenetics and thermal perturbation to manipulate the activity of genetically defined cell types and brain regions in order to dissect their contribution to specific behaviors and cognitive functions.  

Behavioral paradigms: We develop novel behavioral tasks for complex spatial learning to understand the cognitive processes involved. 

Data analysis and theory: We apply novel analysis methods for large-scale neural datasets (both single cells, population level and LFP analysis methods), including dimensionality reduction, and other advanced population-analysis methods. And our experiments are guided by theory and computational models. 

Imaging techniques: We use histological methods together with advanced microscopy and other imaging techniques.

 

See the full publication list of Peter Petersen here.

 

Lab members

See further lab members here.

Name Title Job responsibilities Image
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Anne Marie Nordvig Petersen Laboratory Technician Perrier Lab Billede af Anne Marie Nordvig Petersen
Martynas Dervinis Postdoc Petersen Lab Billede af Martynas Dervinis
Mingze Dou Master-Student Petersen Lab Billede af Mingze Dou
Peter C. Petersen Assistant Professor Petersen lab Billede af Peter C. Petersen