We are interested in how our brain „learns“ to understand our acoustic environment. We investigate which genetic and external factors contribute to the proper development of brain circuits that analyze sound patterns. To better understand these developmental processes we investigate neural circuits (ion channels, synapses, anatomical structures) in the auditory brainstem and midbrain using a combination of electrophysiology in acute brain slices and anatomical/immunohistochemical methods in normal and genetically modified mice. The results aim to unravel the molecular components of auditory brainstem development and may contribute to better understand the physiological basis of auditory processing disorders.