Many plasticity rules rely on adjusting the strength of synapses between pairs of cells based on their coincident activity. We uncovered a new mechanism for coincidence detection in the Drosophila head direction network. To maintain an accurate sense of direction, head direction neurons that signal orientation during navigation must learn to anchor to relevant external sensory cues in novel environments. Yet the synaptic mechanism for this form of unsupervised learning is unknown in any organism. In Drosophila, GABAergic visual inputs converge onto head direction neurons, and these inhibitory synapses change strength with experience to learn the relationship between visual landmarks and head direction. However, how coincident pre- and postsynaptic activity is detected across this inhibitory synapse is not understood. We discovered that neurons which release the monoamine octopamine close a feedback loop that conveys postsynaptic head direction activity onto presynaptic terminals of visual inputs. This octopamine pathway is required for anchoring the head direction network to visual cues. Furthermore, pairing structured activation of octopamine neurons with a visual cue is sufficient to drive rapid plasticity, even without postsynaptic head direction cell activity. Previous work has extensively characterized coincidence detection mechanisms at excitatory synapses; our work defines a novel mechanism for coincidence detection at an inhibitory synapse, in which postsynaptic activity is relayed via a neuromodulatory neuron onto presynaptic terminals.
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Come to SPOT on the first Thursday of every month to repair your damaged and broken items instead of throwing them away! This Repair Cafe aims to combat overconsumption and waste production by extending the life of objects and showing how we can move towards a circular economy. We want to promote the reuse of everyday items of all kinds, from appliances to clothing, by providing easy access to repair experts while teaching people how to fix things themselves.
","image_description":"","creation_date":"2026-02-20T09:41:13","last_modification_date":"2026-02-20T09:41:13","link_label":"Website Fix N'replace","link_url":"https://unipoly.ch/en/fix_n_replace-english/","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"DLLEL 0 28","url_place_and_room":"https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==DLLEL%200%2028","url_online_room":"","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/1/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"Fix N'replace, la fripperie","organizer":"Fix N'replace","contact":"Eileen Rheinboldt-Tran: eileen.rheinboldt-tran@epfl.ch Fix N'Replace - Unipoly https://unipoly.ch/fix_n_replace/ ","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":1,"fr_label":"Tout public","en_label":"General public"},"registration":{"id":3,"fr_label":"Entrée libre","en_label":"Free"},"keywords":"","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/119817/","category":{"id":1,"code":"CONF","fr_label":"Conférences - Séminaires","en_label":"Conferences - Seminars","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/145/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/10/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/398/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/79/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/6/?format=json"]},{"id":70651,"title":"Talent Pitch Switzerland 2026","slug":"talent-pitch-switzerland-2026","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/talent-pitch-switzerland-2026","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32077/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32077/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32077/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-05-06","end_date":"2026-05-06","start_time":"18:00:00","end_time":"22:30:00","description":"Talent Pitch is a pitching contest that will take place for the fourth time on May 6, 2026, at the Volkshaus in Zurich. Our partner universities will send their top start-ups to the event, with all founding teams currently studying at their respective institutions. Both the audience and the jury will have the opportunity to decide which start-up emerges as the winner.
\r\n
\r\nmore info here
The Sustainable Buildings and Construction Summit 2026 (20-22 April, Lausanne, Switzerland) convenes government officials alongside academics, private sector leaders, financiers, and civil society—converging policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to translate global sustainability commitments into practical solutions. Co-organised by EPFL and the UNEP-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, the Summit aims to accelerate the transition to a resilient built environment worldwide, with particular focus on emerging markets and developing economies where built environment growth is most significant.The Summit will include thought-evoking keynotes, cross-disciplinary workshops, academic showcases, and solution-focused roundtables on themes such as upfront embodied emissions, climate resilient construction, circularity, affordable housing, and sustainable urban planning.
","image_description":"Sustainable Buildings & Construction Summit announcement","creation_date":"2026-03-16T14:04:45","last_modification_date":"2026-03-16T14:04:45","link_label":"Sustainable Buildings & Construction Summit","link_url":"https://sustainable-construction.org/","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"SwissTech Convention Centre","url_place_and_room":"","url_online_room":"","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"","organizer":"EPFL Centre for Worldwide Sustainable Construction, UNEP, Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction.","contact":"Anne Dekeukelaere: anne.dekeukelaere@epfl.ch;\r\n\r\nCarolien van der Voorden: carolien.vandervoorden@epfl.ch;","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":1,"fr_label":"Tout public","en_label":"General public"},"registration":{"id":1,"fr_label":"Sur inscription","en_label":"Registration required"},"keywords":"sustainable construction; built environment; build for climate","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/120090/","category":{"id":1,"code":"CONF","fr_label":"Conférences - Séminaires","en_label":"Conferences - Seminars","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/1/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/4/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/8/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/79/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/6/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/32/?format=json"]},{"id":70649,"title":"Startup DAYS 2026","slug":"startup-days-2026","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/startup-days-2026","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32075/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32075/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32075/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-05-21","end_date":"2026-05-21","start_time":"09:00:00","end_time":"19:00:00","description":"The Swiss startup days (SUD) are the leading deep-tech catalyst event where Switzerland’s innovation bridges are built.
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\r\nFrom mindset to connection to action, SUD empowers entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and enablers to create a stronger, more connected, and more resilient startup ecosystem - all in a single day.
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\r\nOn 21 May 2026, the entire ecosystem comes together for a full day of keynotes, sessions, and startup pitches, plus 1:1 meetings, a buzzing exhibition area, and 1,500 participants ready to exchange ideas, insights, and opportunities.
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\r\nBe part of the catalyst event to accelerate your innovation journey.
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\r\nFree tickets (limited to EPFL Startups and first come first serve) - contact Aurelie
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From digital puzzles to space simulations, play has become a major arena for creation, innovation, and reflection. Through a curated selection of video games, history books, essays, and academic research, the Library invites you to discover the many dimensions of games and gaming culture. Borrow the documents and keep the experience going at home!
","image_description":"CC-BY-NC-SA EPFL Library","creation_date":"2026-03-18T09:56:25","last_modification_date":"2026-03-18T09:56:55","link_label":"Sélection documentaire en ligne","link_url":"https://slsp-epfl.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/collectionDiscovery?vid=41SLSP_EPF:prod&collectionId=8196759420005516&lang=fr","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"Espace Découverte","url_place_and_room":"","url_online_room":"","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/1/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"","organizer":"EPFL Library","contact":"library@epfl.ch","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":1,"fr_label":"Tout public","en_label":"General public"},"registration":{"id":3,"fr_label":"Entrée libre","en_label":"Free"},"keywords":"Jeux, jeux vidéo, théorie des jeux","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/120117/","category":{"id":5,"code":"EXPO","fr_label":"Expositions","en_label":"Exhibitions","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/1/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/3/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/5/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/6/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/8/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/145/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/275/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/22/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/27/?format=json"]},{"id":71498,"title":"From Helical Motifs to Oral Drugs: Design Principles for Bioavailable Macrocyclic Peptides","slug":"from-helical-motifs-to-oral-drugs-design-principle","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/from-helical-motifs-to-oral-drugs-design-principle","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32840/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32840/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32840/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-04-20","end_date":"2026-04-20","start_time":"14:15:00","end_time":"15:15:00","description":"In this seminar, I will discuss our efforts to design conformationally constrained helical macrocyclic peptides and outline the principles that enable effective targeting of protein–protein interactions beyond classical stapled peptides. In the second part, I will show how a subtle isosteric backbone modification—thioamidation—can be used to impart oral bioavailability to bioactive macrocyclic peptides. I will further illustrate how conformational restriction enhances membrane permeability and highlight the critical role of metabolic stability in achieving oral bioavailability.
","image_description":"Prof. Jayanta Chatterjee","creation_date":"2026-03-30T19:14:23","last_modification_date":"2026-03-30T19:24:00","link_label":"Publications Prof. Jayanta Chatterjee","link_url":"https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=r0aQPNIAAAAJ&hl=en","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"BCH 3118","url_place_and_room":"https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==BCH%203118","url_online_room":"","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"Prof. Jayanta Chatterjee, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India","organizer":"C. Heinis","contact":"C. Heinis","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":2,"fr_label":"Public averti","en_label":"Informed public"},"registration":{"id":3,"fr_label":"Entrée libre","en_label":"Free"},"keywords":"cbseminar","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/120241/","category":{"id":1,"code":"CONF","fr_label":"Conférences - Séminaires","en_label":"Conferences - Seminars","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/5/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/9/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/14/?format=json"]},{"id":71300,"title":"BMI Seminar // Seung-Hee Lee: Balance between stability and flexibility","slug":"bmi-seminar-seung-hee-lee-balance-between-stabilit","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/bmi-seminar-seung-hee-lee-balance-between-stabilit","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32657/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32657/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32657/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-05-22","end_date":"2026-05-22","start_time":"09:15:00","end_time":"10:15:00","description":"TBD
","image_description":"","creation_date":"2026-03-04T18:39:30","last_modification_date":"2026-03-04T18:44:47","link_label":"Web Page","link_url":"https://pure.kaist.ac.kr/en/persons/seung-hee-lee/publications/","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"SV 2510","url_place_and_room":"https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==SV%202510","url_online_room":"","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"Seung-Hee Lee, Dept. of Biological Sciences, KAIST, South Korea","organizer":"SV BMI LSENS\r\n\r\nHost: Carl Petersen","contact":"brain_mind@epfl.ch","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":2,"fr_label":"Public averti","en_label":"Informed public"},"registration":{"id":3,"fr_label":"Entrée libre","en_label":"Free"},"keywords":"","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/119975/","category":{"id":1,"code":"CONF","fr_label":"Conférences - Séminaires","en_label":"Conferences - Seminars","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/1/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/19/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/9/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/6/?format=json"]},{"id":70929,"title":"BMI Distinguished Seminar // Manish Saggar","slug":"bmi-distinguished-seminar-manish-saggar","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/bmi-distinguished-seminar-manish-saggar","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32317/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32317/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32317/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-09-09","end_date":"2026-09-09","start_time":"12:15:00","end_time":"13:15:00","description":"","image_description":"","creation_date":"2026-01-21T16:42:23","last_modification_date":"2026-02-16T13:33:32","link_label":"Web Page","link_url":"https://profiles.stanford.edu/manish-saggar","canceled":"False","cancel_reason":"","place_and_room":"SV 1717","url_place_and_room":"https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==SV%201717","url_online_room":"https://epfl.zoom.us/j/64813563657","spoken_languages":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/spoken_languages/2/?format=json"],"speaker":"Manish Saggar, Stanford University","organizer":"SV BMI Host: K. Hess Bellwald","contact":"brain_mind@epfl.ch","is_internal":"False","theme":"","vulgarization":{"id":2,"fr_label":"Public averti","en_label":"Informed public"},"registration":{"id":3,"fr_label":"Entrée libre","en_label":"Free"},"keywords":"","file":null,"icalendar_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/export/119405/","category":{"id":1,"code":"CONF","fr_label":"Conférences - Séminaires","en_label":"Conferences - Seminars","activated":true},"academic_calendar_category":null,"domains":[],"mementos":["https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/88/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/1/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/9/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/6/?format=json","https://memento.epfl.ch/api/v1/mementos/19/?format=json"]},{"id":71500,"title":"IMX Talks - Sustainable green bio-polycarbonates from bio-based feedstocks and CO2 toward carbon-neutral goals","slug":"imx-talks-sustainable-green-bio-polycarbonates-f-2","event_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/event/imx-talks-sustainable-green-bio-polycarbonates-f-2","visual_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32842/200x112.jpg","visual_large_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32842/720x405.jpg","visual_maxsize_url":"https://memento.epfl.ch/image/32842/max-size.jpg","lang":"en","start_date":"2026-04-16","end_date":"2026-04-16","start_time":"16:15:00","end_time":"17:00:00","description":"The growing challenges of plastic pollution, fossil resource depletion, and carbon emissions have accelerated the search for sustainable alternatives to polymers. This presentation will focus on the development of fully bio-based polycarbonates, synthesized through the polymerization of carbon dioxide with renewable epoxides. We will first detail our laboratory’s work in generating a diverse portfolio monomer from a wide range of bio-feedstocks including plant oils, terpenes, lignocellulosic biomass, and industrial byproducts. Another focus is the effect of monomer structure on resulting polymer properties and performance, and how post-polymerization modification strategies can be employed to tailor materials for specific applications. (2) Applications of bio-based polycarbonates will be then discussed in fields such as coatings, biomedical materials, adhesives, and their recycling pathways. (3) An outline of future directions will be explored, emphasizing the roles of advanced catalyst design, AI-driven manufacturing, and supportive policy frameworks to enable scalable and sustainable production. The integration of CO2 utilization with renewable feedstocks presents a compelling route toward circular and carbon–neutral materials.
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\r\nBio: Shaoqing Cui, Ph.D., is a Principal Investigator under the Zhejiang University’s \"Hundred Talents Program\" and a recipient of China’s National High-level Talent Program - (Overseas Young Talent Project). She used to be an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (United States) before joining Zhejiang University. Her research focuses on the valorization of agricultural waste and carbon dioxide conversion and utilization, including high-value utilization of agricultural straw, waste oils as well as microalgae biomass. She has led and participated in multiple research projects, including a U.S. Department of Energy project on the efficient catalytic conversion of waste-treatment microalgae and CO2 into high-value plastic products, also two U.S. Department of Agriculture projects. Since joining the Zhejiang University in 2023, she has also been leading several major research initiatives, including projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Zhejiang Provincial Key R&D Programs.