MPFI research groups focus on brain function and neural circuits.
What you find in this section
From the tiniest molecules to complex synaptic networks, MPFI researchers are redefining our understanding of the brain and building a foundation for better health.
Our scientists are driven by curiosity and passion to uncover fundamental knowledge of the brain function - the foundation of tomorrow's cures.
MPFI researchers have in-house access to top-of-the-line technology and expertise through our scientific cores. When a scientist can collaborate closely with experts, great achievements can result.
Read the latest research published by our scientists.
Setting the Brain’s Internal Clock: A Single Neuron Type Enables Learning of Motor Timing
Caption: Learning a new skill requires precise adjustments to the brain’s internal “clock” to precisely time movements. New research from MPFI shows that plasticity in…
Our Labs
MPFI seeks to provide a new understanding of the origins, development, and function of the nervous system and its capacity to produce perception, thought, language, memory, emotion, and action.
Scientific Cores
When a scientist can collaborate closely with experts, great achievements can result. Providing researchers with in-house access to top of the line technology and expertise is one of the things that sets MPFI apart from other research institutions.
Recent Papers
Functional recomposition of excitatory synaptic inputs to individual neurons in ferret visual cortex after the onset of visual experience.
Jaepel, J., Tepohl, C., Satterfield, R., & Fitzpatrick, D. (2026). Functional recomposition of excitatory synaptic inputs to individual neurons in ferret visual cortex after the onset of visual experience. Current Biology.
Hunger reconfigures a reward learning circuit into a memory competent mode
Park, A., Senapati, B., Mancini, N., Zhang, Y., Choi, J., Cone, I., Treiber, C. D., Costa, R. P., Fenk, L., Bidaye, S., & Waddell, S. (2026). Hunger reconfigures a reward learning circuit into a memory competent mode (p. 2026.09.17.752172). bioRxiv.
Population geometries in frontal cortex coordinate value-based decisions
Jung, Y., Okada, D., Khandare, S., Pena, R. F. O., & Inagaki, H. K. (2026). Population geometries in frontal cortex coordinate value-based decisions (p. 2026.09.17.752402). bioRxiv.
Spatially confined dopamine from locus coeruleus axons selectively shapes hippocampal dynamics and action timing
Luo, D., Cao, J., Heldman, R., Tian, L., & Wang, Y. (2026). Spatially confined dopamine from locus coeruleus axons selectively shapes hippocampal dynamics and action timing (p. 2026.09.02.748730). bioRxiv.
Complementary roles of cell-type-specific plasticity in shaping neocortical dynamics for learning action timing
Majumder, S., Hirokawa, K., Yang, Z., Jain, A., Paletzki, R., Gerfen, C. R., Fontolan, L., Romani, S., Yasuda, R., & Inagaki, H. K. (2026). Complementary roles of cell-type-specific plasticity in shaping neocortical dynamics for learning action timing. Nature Communications.
Activity-regulated circSamm50 modulates mitochondrial dynamics and spine structural plasticity
Chanda, K., Bapat, O., Wingfield, J. L., Avchalumov, Y., Kazantzis, M., Carter, J. P., Sharma, N., Davis, R., Yuan, J. X.-J., Rangaraju, V., & Puthanveettil, S. V. (2026). Activity-regulated circSamm50 modulates mitochondrial dynamics and spine structural plasticity. Cell Reports, 45(6).
Our Science
By bringing together outstanding scientists with a broad range of expertise in an exceptionally supportive, collaborative environment, The Max Planck Florida Institute is stimulating the development of innovative experimental approaches that are leading the world to a new understanding of brain function in health and disease.
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