Circuit & Systems Neuroscience Stream

The Circuit & Systems Neuroscience stream provides Biosciences MRes students with immersive training in how neural circuits give rise to behaviour, by combining experimental, computational, and systems‑level approaches. Students join a world‑leading research community in the UCL Research Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology (NPP), working closely with laboratories investigating sensory processing, learning and memory, neuroplasticity, cardiovascular and metabolic neurophysiology, pain, and developmental systems neuroscience. 

Research Environment

Research within the Circuits & Systems Neuroscience labs in NPP focuses on the fundamental mechanisms by which neural circuits operate, adapt, and generate behaviour across development, adulthood and ageing. Experimental work spans rodents, zebrafish, and human studies, using optical, electrophysiological, genetic, pharmacological, behavioural, and computational techniques to interrogate circuit function. 

Major research areas include:

• Cardiovascular and Metabolic Neurophysiology
• Synaptic and Circuit Correlates of Behaviour
• Sensory Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Neuroplasticity and Learning
• Physiology of Pain 

Students will have the opportunity to conduct their research project within laboratories led by people including:

What Students Gain

Students in this stream will:

• Develop advanced experimental and analytical skills tailored to systems neuroscience
• Gain experience with state‑of‑the‑art methods which could include in vivo electrophysiology, two‑photon imaging, optogenetics/chemogenetics, behavioural assays, and/or computational approaches used to probe circuit dynamics
• Undertake taught modules in specialist neuroscience topics and academic research skills
• Integrate into an active research community and engage with departmental seminars, journal clubs, and specialist training opportunities
• Receive mentoring and academic support from the Stream Tutor and project supervisors
• Develop a strong foundation for a future career in neuroscience research in academia or industry

As Stream Tutor, Dr Dan Brierley supports students throughout the year, helping them select research projects, engage with the departmental community, and prepare for future PhD study or research careers.

Example Research Projects

Below are some examples of recently offered projects, but students will be provided with an up to date list at the beginning of their course, and are also welcome to contact any neuroscience lab at UCL to enquire about hosting their project.

• Analysing MEG and / or intracranial EEG data from humans completing long-term memory tasks (Dan Bush)
• Role of the gut-brain axis in stress and obesity (Dan Brierley)
• Modelling the human cortex across scales - from biologically detailed neuronal circuits to artificial neural networks (Padraig Gleeson)
• Dopamine’s Role in Motor Control: Decoding Grooming Behaviour (Stephanie Koch)
• Circuit control of visually guided behaviour in zebrafish (Isaac Bianco)
• Development of spontaneous activity patterns in the developing mouse and human brain (Lorenzo Fabrizi)

Suggested Taught Modules

Students choose one Masters level optional module (recommended examples below), which should be matched to the topic of their research project. They additionally undertake 3 compulsory modules (BIOS0009 / BIOS0010 / BIOS0011) which provide a grounding in the crucial skills required to succeed in a research career in biosciences.

• Developmental Neuroscience (ANAT0023)
• Visual Neuroscience (NEUR0017)
• Integrative Systems Neuroscience (NEUR0020)
• Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience (ANAT0019)
• Metabolic Neuroscience (NEUR0009)
• Systems and Behavioural Neuroscience (ANAT0020)
• Pain (ANAT0013)
• Neural Computation: Models of Brain Function (NEUR0016)
• Receptors and Synaptic Signalling (ANAT0018)