Torben Ott, neuroscientist at the Department of Biology at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin (HU) and at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Berlin, has been awarded a Starting Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for his research project "Timevalue - Neural and serotonergic mechanisms underlying time valuationin rats". Together with his research group, he will investigate the valuation of time from a neuronal perspective.
The neuronal mechanisms behind the management of time
Many people feel that they never have enough time to do all the things they would like to do - a condition known as time poverty. Although we have more and more opportunities to utilise our time, the amount of time available remains the same. Time is one of our scarcest resources. "We are all constantly making decisions about how we want to use our time. In doing so, we evaluate - whether consciously or unconsciously - whether the amount of time a particular activity requires is worth the expected outcome," says Ott. "This can be a simple decision, such as preparing a good meal, or a far-reaching decision, such as embarking on a lengthy course of study."
His research project aims to identify the neuronal mechanisms that give value to time and thus shape our behaviour. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for its positive effects on our mood, is thought to play a central role in the valuation of time. "Serotonin could influence how patient or impulsive we are in relation to our time, and thus significantly contribute to how we determine the value of time," explains the scientist.
With mathematical models and laboratory experiments
To test this hypothesis, he and his team will use innovative methods that have revolutionised neuroscience in recent years. Firstly, the value of time is measured objectively by having rats invest time in an activity that can lead to different levels of reward. A mathematical model can then be used to quantify the value of time in relation to reward and risk.
The neuronal networks in the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain that may be responsible for this evaluation of time will then be identified. New probes that can record the electrical activity of hundreds of neurones simultaneously will be used for this purpose. In parallel, it is planned to use genetic methods to measure and manipulate the release of serotonin in real time using novel designer receptors. This will allow the precise influence of the serotonin system on the cortical networks to be analysed. The project aims to provide fundamental insights into how our brain controls and influences our use of the most precious resource we have - our time.
About the person
Torben Ott, PhD, received his doctorate in neuroscience from the International Max Planck Research School in Tübingen. As a postdoctoral researcher, he worked at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York and at Washington University in Saint Louis. Since 2022, he has his own research group, the Decision Circuits Lab, which is funded by the Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation at the Department of Biology of the HU and at the BCCN Berlin. The BCCN Berlin is a joint research centre of Charité, Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin and Technische Universit?t Berlin.
About the ERC Starting Grants
ERC Starting Grants support early-career researchers at the beginning of their independent careers. Applicants can submit a project for a Starting Grant two to seven years after completing their doctorate if they already have publications as first author, (inter)national science awards or presentations at international conferences. With the maximum funding amount of 1.5 million euros for a period of five years, researchers can set up their own research group.
Further information
Photo by Torben Ott, copyright: private
Contact
Torben Ott
Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin
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