Lecture by Professor Erwin Neher

Current Frontiers in the Neurosciences

Current Neuroscience Research proceeds in two directions:
The 'top-down-approach' studies the higher brain functions, such as memory, consciousness and cognition. It uses modern imaging technology and psychophysical tests to localize and quantitate these accomplishments. The 'bottom-up-approach' starts with the genome and the signaling molecules, which underlie the information processing in the brain. It studies properties of these molecules and the interactions among them with the aim to understand mechanisms, such as nerve impulse propagation and synaptic transmission. Our work takes this approach, taking advantage of a very special synapse in the auditory pathway, the Calyx of Held. Precise electrophysiological and fluorimetric techniques can be applied to this synapse revealing details of the intricate mechanisms by which calcium signals control synaptic transmission and its short-term plasticity.

Lecture by Professor Eric S. Maskin

Mechanism Design: How to Implement Social Goals

In this lecture Professor Maskin will give a brief introduction to the theory of mechanism design, for which the 2007 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded. Mechanism design theory characterizes when, given a social goal, it is possible to find an institution, procedure, or mechanism that achieves that goal.