Studying the Neurobiological Computations underlying Natural Behaviour in Songbirds
Explore our ongoing projects!
How social interactions modulate birdsong and song circuits
This project investigates how social context influences song production and neural activity in songbirds. We use a combination of behavioral quantifications, field recordings and data analysis.
How do electrical synapses contribute to learning and production of birdsong?
We explore the role of electrical synapses in the songbird brain, particularly their contribution to song learning and production.
Analysis of axons and myelin in the song system
This project focuses on the structural properties of axons and myelin in the songbird brain. We investigate their contribution to birdsong.
We combine experimental and computational techniques to analyse the brain
Whole cell and extracellular electrophysiological recordings
A peek into neural migration with molecular techniques
Cm dV/dt = Iext − (gNa m3h(V − ENa) + gK n4(V − EK) + gL(V − EL))
Computer Vision to decypher the brain
Light- and Electron Microscopy
Vocalization Tracking and Spectral Song Analysis
Principal Investigator
Former lab members and their current positions
MSc Intern
Current: Master Thesis @ Jakobs lab (Munich)
MSc Intern and Msc Thesis
BSc and MSc Intern
Current: Master Thesis @ LMU Klinikum (Munich)
MSc Intern
Current: Research @ Götz lab (Munich)
BSc Intern
Current: GSN MSc in Neuroscience
MSc Intern
Current: PhD @ Stöckl Lab (Konstanz)
Our latest scientific contributions:
Totiger, S., & Alcami, P. (2025). bioRxiv
Alcami, P., Ma, S., & Gahr, M. (2025). Frontiers in Psychology
Trigo, F. F., Alcamí, P., & Curti, S. (2025). Neuroscience
Castelfranco, A., & Alcami, P. (2023). bioRxiv
Recent updates and milestones from our lab.
Santhosh will present his latest findings on songbird behavior at the upcoming Munich Brain Day.
Pablo begins his PhD journey in the lab, focusing on computational approaches to songbird neuroscience.
Santhosh starts his PhD project investigating songbird behavior and electrical synapses.
We value curiosity, patience, and meaningful collaboration over fast results. If this resonates, we'd love to hear from you!
What scientific questions and project you would like to work on?
Share your story and curiosity with us below!
alcami@bio.lmu.de
You can find us in the Section of Neurobiology (Chair of Prof. Grothe), Department of Biology at the LMU-Munich. We are also associated to the department of Manfred Gahr at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence.
Address:
Alcami Lab
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Faculty of Biology, Division of Neurobiology
Großhaderner Straße 2
D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried