Coordinator:

G. Athanasiou

Laboratory/Institution:

Department of Physics

Duration:

3 months

Credit Hours:

9 ECTS per 3 months

Objectives:

The students will develop/simulate cells(Filters) and ANNs for retina and L.G.N.The resulting filters will be used for the spatiotemporal analysis of signals and pictures. They will be trained in parallel in signal/picture capture and transformations Fast Fourier Transform (F.F.T.)- Wavelet, picture and signal statistics, as well as in Principal Component Analysis(PCA) and Independent Component Analysis(ICA).

Instructors:

G. Athanasiou

Coordinator:

A. Moschovakis

Laboratory/Institution:

Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, FORTH

Duration:

3-9 months

Credit Hours:

9 ECTS per 3 months

Objectives:

Simulation of neural networks

Instructors:

A. Moschovakis

Coordinator:

E. Froudarakis

Laboratory/Institution:

Laboratory of Systems Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH

Duration:

3-9 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

Students will be trained in systems neuroscience techniques such as behavioral assays, programing, synthesis & control of visual stimuli, imaging, signal processing, population analysis, & computational modeling. More specifically, they will be exposed to the following techniques in the context of research focusing on object recognition: a) High throughput behavioral training of rodents in multisensory object recognition tasks. b) Recording the activity of neural populations with imaging techniques from multiple cortical areas. c) Optogenetic techniques for manipulation of neural activity. d) Analysis of neural population activity data from 1 and 2 photon imaging during passive viewing and active behavior.

Instructors:

E. Froudarakis

Coordinator:

Panagiotis Simos, Ph.D.

Laboratory/Institution:

University of Crete, Department of Psychology

Duration:

3-9 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

To familiarize students with test administration techniques used in the assessment of intelligence, achievement, cognitive and linguistic functions. Students receive individualized training in test administration and in the evaluation of test results and perform supervised testing of children in area schools and health institutions.

Instructors:

Panagiotis Simos, Ph.D.

Coordinator:

K. Sidiropoulou

Lab/Institution:

Neurophysiology and Behavior Laboratory, Dept of Biology, University of Crete

Duration:

3-9 months

Credits:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The graduate student will be introduced to the following behavioral, electrophysiological, histological and computational techniques:

a) Behavioral approaches to study learning and memory: object recognition tests, delayed alternation in the T-maze, contextual fear conditioning.

b) Electrophysiological approaches: field recordings from mouse brain slice preparation, patch-clamp recordings from mouse brain slice preparation.

c) Histology: Golgi-Cox staining and analysis of dendritic structure, immunohistochemistry for transmitter receptors.

ä) d) Computational approaches: Detailed compartmental neuron models to study the role of different cell types in the emergence of persistent activity.

Instructors:

K. Sidiropoulou

Coordinator:

Panos Theodorou

Laboratory/Institution:

Laboratory of Philosophical Research and Translation,

Faculty of Philosophy and Social Studies, University of Crete

Duration:

3-6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The graduate student will be exposed to the methods of treatment of philosophical problems. They will need to write a short essay in Philosophy.

Instructors:

Panos Theodorou

Prerequisites:

Coordinator:

Yannis Dalezios

Laboratory/Institution:

Laboratory of Electron Microscopy,

Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete

Duration:

3 or 6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The graduate student will become familiar with methods revealing the chemical identity and the types of synaptic relations of neurons using light or/and electron microscopy.

Depending on the duration of the rotation, the trainee will have the opportunity of practising the following:

1. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry for testing the chemical identity oÊ neurons and their neurotransmitter receptors using light microscopy.
2. Peroxidase or/and gold  silver intensified immuno-histochemistry for testing the chemical identity of neurons and the distribution of their neurotransmitter receptors using light and electron microscopy.
3. Preparation for electron microscopy (embedding in resin, cutting of ultra thin sections). Detection and photography of structures of interest using a transmission electron microscope.

The rotation will be part of projects exploring two major questions:

i.         What types of neurons control eye movements? How do they talk to each other?

ii.       What are the neurotransmitter receptor subtypes expressed by specific cortical neurons? How is the differential distribution of these receptors related to neuronal function?

Instructors:

Yannis Dalezios

Prerequisites:

It is recommended that the students have attended one of the following courses: «Synaptic relations in the cortex», «Oculomotor system», «Structure and function of neurotransmitter receptors

Coordinator:

Nektarios Tavernarakis

Laboratory/Institution:

Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Ageing,

Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas

Duration:

3 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

Research in the lab focuses on studies of neuronal function and dysfunction. Specific aims include investigation of the molecular mechanisms of necrotic cell death in neurodegeneration and senescent decline, the molecular mechanisms of sensory transduction and integration by the nervous system, the interplay between cellular metabolism and ageing, and the development of novel genetic tools for biomedical research.

Instructors:

Nektarios Tavernarakis and collaborators

Prerequisites:

Genetics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry

Coordinator:

P. Trahanias, D. Tsakiris, A. Argyros

Laboratory/Institution:

Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory

Institute of Computer Science

Foundation for Research and Technology  Hellas

Duration:

3-6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory of FORTH possesses mobile robots able to move both in indoors environments, as well as fly, and equipped with sensors (e.g. vision, laser, sonar); the use and programming of these robots, so that they display a desired behavior, is one of the objectives of the present rotation.

The graduate students will be also exposed to a variety of techniques for processing and understanding sensory data, and for control, as well as to related computational tools (e.g. Matlab) for addressing problems in:

•        Autonomous robot navigation

•        Behavior-based robotics

•        Stereo vision

•        Image retrieval by content

•        Visual motion analysis

•        Active Perception

•        Motion control based on sensory information

•        Life-like perception

•        Biomimetic robot behaviors

Instructors:

P. Trahanias, D. Tsakiris, A. Argyros

Prerequisites:

The following courses are recommended: Computational Vision, Intelligent Systems, Biomimetic Robotics, Autonomous Robot Navigation.

Coordinator:

P. Poirazi

Laboratory/Institution:

Computational Biology Lab, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH

Duration:

3-9 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

Research training in brain modeling techniques with particular emphasis on:

1) Compartmental models: students will develop and/or use detailed biophysical models of single cells incorporating several membrane mechanisms (using the NEURON simulation environment). Simulations of model cells will be performed in order to investigate memory/information processing capacity under normal and/or pathological conditions (aging/stress)

2) Abstract models: students will develop and/or use more general mathematical and computational models of single cells or populations of cells (e.g. neural networks) to study learning and memory issues especially with respect to morphological parameters.

Instructors:

P.Poirazi

Prerequisites:

Students should be familiar with either NEURON or a programming language, preferably C/C++ or Java.

Coordinator:

Vangelis Sakkalis

Laboratory/Institution:

Computational Biomedicine Lab,

Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, (FORTH)

Duration:

3-9 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The Computational Biomedicine laboratory focuses on numerous research directions closely linked to Computational Neuroscience and in silico modeling as follows:

1. Brain Computer interfaces design and development),
2. human brain functional connectivity analysis/ network connectivity mapping, and
3. computational (in silico) modeling of brain tumor growth and treatment.

Students will become acquainted with methodologies focusing on data analysis and computational modeling approaches using specialized software and tools.

Rotation may also involve hands-on training on EEG signal acquisition and handling.

Instructors:

Vangelis Sakkalis

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of the course «Brain Connectivity Analysis using EEG/ MEG».

Familiarity with at least one programming language or MATLAB will be a plus.

Coordinator:

Helen Savaki

Laboratory/Institution:

Laboratory of Functional Brain Imaging,

Medical Faculty, University of Crete.

Duration:

3-6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The graduate student will be exposed in the field of research concerning the functional pathways of the monkey brain involved in programming and executing eye and arm movements to visual targets in the extrapersonal space. The methodological approach includes the quantitative autoradiographic ¹⁴C-deoxyglucose technique, image analysis, and two-dimensional reconstruction of the local cerebral glucose utilization. Three main projects exist at present:

a) Investigation of the cortical cerebral pathways involved in voluntary arm-reaching movements of a monkey executing a learned visuo-skeletomotor task. Encoding of the visual and somatosensory guidance of arm movements within cortical areas 4, 6, SMA 5, 7, 9 and 46.

b) Cortical regions, related to saccadic eye-movements, in the monkey brain. How the parameters of saccades (direction, amplitude, eye-position and trajectory) are coded in the associated cortical areas.

c) Cortical areas involved in execution and observation of grasping movements. Mirror-neurons circuit in the monkey brain.

Instructors:

Helen Savaki, Vassilis Raos

Prerequisites:

Cerebral Cortex

Coordinator:

Vassilis Raos

Laboratory/Institute:

Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete

Duration:

minimum 6 months

Credit hours  Μονάδες:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

Research training emphasizing on the role of the cortical areas of the frontal lobe in action execution and action understanding. Students will be familiarized with

• extracellular recording of single neurons activity from awake animals while performing tasks and analysis of neuronal responses

• intracortical microstimulation

• reversible inactivation of cortical areas

• behavioral training and basic surgical procedures

• recording and analysis of behavioral data.

Instructors:

Vassilis Raos

Coordinator:

Constantine Stephanidis

Laboratory/Institution:

Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory

Institute of Computer Science

Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas

Duration:

6 months

CreditHours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

Assignments will deal with issues related to the user centered design of software applications: User Requirements Elicitation, Task Analysis, Design, Implementation and Evaluation. Furthermore, issues related to the accessibility and usability of software applications will be addressed.

Instructors:

Constantine Stephanidis

Prerequisite:

Coordinator:

Keith Frankish

Laboratory/Institution:

University of Sheffield, UK

The Open University, UK

Duration:

3-6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The aims of the rotation are (1) to provide hands-on training in philosophical research skills and (2) to enable students to conduct a preliminary exploration of a specific research topic in contemporary philosophy of mind.

In consultation with the instructor, students will agree a topic and prepare a short proposal outlining the specific question they wish to investigate. They will also create a personal research blog, using a free service such as Blogger or WordPress.

They will then embark on a programme of reading in the research literature on their chosen topic. The initial steps in this programme will be suggested by the instructor, but as the rotation proceeds students will be expected to take control of the process and to follow their own developing interests.

Each week, students will write a blog post summarizing their reading and discussing how it bears on the question they are exploring. The instructor will comment both via the blog and in face-to-face tutorials.

Towards the end of the project, students will compile a report drawing on material from their blog posts. In this they will introduce the topic under investigation, summarize the established theoretical positions on it, indicate which position they favour and why, identify the next steps they would take if continuing the project, and provide an annotated bibliography. The aim will be to produce a report that could serve as the basis for an application to pursue doctoral research on the topic in question.

The rotation will be assessed on the basis both of the student’s activities during the rotation and their final report.

Both three-month and six-month rotations will follow this format, but students undertaking the latter will be expected to conduct a more extensive investigation, produce a longer report, and develop a clearer personal view of the topic.

Topics should lie within contemporary analytic philosophy of mind, understood to include theoretical and conceptual issues in psychology and cognitive science. Rotations on the following topics are especially welcome:

• Phenomenal consciousness
• Mental architecture
• Dual-process theories of reasoning
• The nature of belief
• Self-knowledge and its limits.

Instructors:

K. Frankish

Prerequisites:

The instructor’s own ‘Mind and Science’ lecture series, or equivalent

Coordinator:

M. Venieri

Laboratory/Institution:

Philosophical research and translation lab.

Department of Philosophy and Social Studies, University of Crete.

Duration:

3-6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The students are expected to learn how to conduct philosophical research by dealing with problems in the philosophy of perception.

They will be guided to write a short essay on a relevant subject.

Instructors:

M. Venieri

Coordinator:

Laboratory/Institution:

Duration:

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

Academic Knowledge:
Visual perception is mediated by a number of processes which occur at different stages of visual pathways and cannot be evaluated directly. Its study is usually achieved using three classic experimental approaches: anatomic, neurophysiologic and psychophysical. While the first two are central to the understanding the processing information at various levels of the visual system, psychophysical studies are elucidated in order to investigate the limits and the operating strategies of the visual system. This is achieved by testing the relationship between variations in the physical pattern of stimuli (eg luminance, contrast, colour, form, orientation) and perceptual responses, ie what an observer sees and reports.

Intellectual Knowledge:
Students will have the opportunity to collect and analyse their own data using standard and advanced methodologies employed to study human vision. In parallel, they will acquire knowledge on current literature regarding the neurophysiological characteristics of the early, pre-cortical visual pathway (retina-LGN).

Practicall skills:
The graduate student will have the opportunity to design and conduct experiments in vision. These will involve standard and advanced psychophysical methodologies. Moreover, electrophysiology testing will aid in recording responses from neuronal sub-groups in the retina (photoreceptors - ganglion cells) and the visual cortex (VEPs). The stimuli will include simple and gabor gratings, as well as natural scenes.

Research Methodologies
• Standard visual psychophysics (eg Contrast Sensitivity)
• Visual Reaction Times
• Flash and pattern Electro-retinography (ERG)
• Visual evoked potentials (VEPs)
• Eye movement recording.

Instructors:

Sotiris Plainis, Miltiadis Tsilimbaris, Aristophanis Pallikaris

Coordinator:

Eleni Orfanidou, Ph.D.

Laboratory/Institution:

University of Crete, Department of Psychology

Duration:

3 or 6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

To familiarize students with the design, administration and analysis of behavioral experiments used in the study of linguistic functions. These experiments are run on a computer, they use words or pictures, and they record reaction times and errors while the volunteer performs a linguistic task. Depending on the duration of the rotation, the students will be involved in designing a linguistic experiment (choice of words with characteristics of interest, organization of the material within the experiment), they will receive training in the software used to run the experiments (DMDX), they will perform supervised testing of volunteers, and they will be introduced to basic methods of results processing (Excel) and statistical analysis (SPSS).

Instructors:

Eleni Orfanidou, Ph.D.

Prerequisites:

Language and the brain

Coordinator:

Konstantinos Kafetsios, Ph.D.

Laboratory/Institution:

University of Crete, Department of Psychology

Duration:

3 or 6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

1. To train students in experimental and naturalistic social cognitive methods and analytic techniques with emphasis in the processing of socio-emotional information.
Set up and use of social cognitive experiments in emotion perception using reaction time (e.g., Emotion stroop) and emotion perception paradigms.
Familiarization with computer environments (DMDX, Superlab).
Training in event sampling methodologies for naturalistic social cognition in social interaction (Rochester Interaction Record, End of day reports).
Introduction to multilevel data analytic techniques for event sampling data (social interaction data).
Introduction to social cognitive theories of emotion
2. The above methods and techniques allow the answering of research questions such as:
How do schemas at different levels (interpersonal, intergroup, cultural) influence the processing of emotion information (attention, categorization, inference)?
How do attention to emotion relate to naturalistic social cognition, i.e., emotion in everyday social interaction?
How does the social context influence awareness of, and reporting of different emotions?

Instructors:

Konstantinos Kafetsios

Prerequisites:

Neuropsychological Assessment

Coordinator:

Georgia Gregoriou

Laboratory/Institution:

Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete

Duration:

3-9 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

To familiarize students with:
1) Electrophysiological techniques of extracellular recordings (of spikes and local field potentials) from multiple brain areas simultaneously using multielectrode arrays in animal subjects performing visual attention tasks.
2) Electrical microstimulation and reversible inactivation techniques using pharmacological agents. Effects on behavior and neuronal activity.
3) Analysis of electrophysiological signals using computational methods of signal processing.

Instructors:

Georgia Gregoriou

Coordinator:

M. Maniadakis

Laboratory/Institution:

Computational Vision and Robotics Laboratory Institute of Computer Science Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas

Duration:

3-9 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

Evolutionary Cognitive Systems focusing on the combination of cooperative and competitive evolutionary methods. The proposed studies will address solving well formulated mathematical problems as well as designing intelligent artificial agents. The rotation will focus on the suitability of methods selecting individuals from partial populations to assemble global problem solutions, the design of specific, population-dependent fitness functions.

Instructors:

M. Maniadakis

Prerequisites:

Good programming skills. Moreover the introductory course Evolutionary Cognitive Systems is recommended.

Coordinator:

Ioannis Tsamardinos

Laboratory/Institution:

Bioinformatics Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology, Hellas

Duration:

3-6 months

Credit Hours:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The student will analyze real biomedical datasets (i.e., biomedical measurements on a number of entities such as patients, bacteria cultures, tissues, animals, etc.) from the public domain or unpublished data provided to us by the lab's collaborators. The objectives of such an analysis may be to create diagnostic or predictive models of disease, discover new knowledge about the biomedical mechanisms generating the measurements, and others. The exact dataset and task depends on the on-going lab projects at the time. Examples of past and on-going projects include the prediction of the chemosensitivity of tumours from gene-expression, prediction of survival of patients based on molecular signatures, identifying molecular signatures of gene methylation and miRNA to diagnose mesothelioma, and others. The student will be exposed to state-of-the-art machine learning and statistical techniques for analyzing such data and gain practical with biomedical data analysis.

Instructors:

Ioannis Tsamardinos

Coordinator:

I. Charalampopoulos

Laboratory/Institution:

Lab. of Regenerative Pharmacology/Medical School, University of Crete

Duration:

3-6 μήνες

Credit Hours  Μονάδες:

3 ECTS per month

Objectives:

The objectives of the rotation in Regenerative Pharmacology Lab are:
the training and practical performance of the postgraduate students in the basic techniques of molecular and cellular neurobiology, and more specifically, in isolation and culture of primary neuronal and glial cells, neural stem cells, immunocytochemistry, cell death/survival measurements, DNA/RNA/proteins isolation, blotting and FACS analysis. Furthermore, the trainees will be exposed to use of animals (rodents) as models of neurodegenerative diseases..

Instructors:

I. Charalampopoulos

Prerequisites:

Molecular Neurobiology Course