Daniela Hirnet

Daniela Hirnet is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Neurophysiology at the University of Hamburg's Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, working within the Institute of Animal Cell and Systems Biology. She has been affiliated with the university since June 2010 and maintains her office in Room 422 at Martin Luther King Square 3, Hamburg.

Dr. Hirnet's research focuses on neurophysiology with particular emphasis on astrocyte physiology, purinergic signaling, and cAMP dynamics in the olfactory system. Her work investigates how adenosine and dopamine receptors modulate neuronal and glial activity through second messenger systems, with significant contributions to understanding neuron-glia communication and information processing in the olfactory bulb. She has developed expertise in advanced imaging techniques including genetically encoded calcium and cAMP sensors.

Analysis of her publication record from 2016-2024 reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on purinergic signaling mechanisms in the olfactory system, with increasing focus on astrocyte physiology and the role of cAMP dynamics in neuroinflammation models. Her work bridges molecular neuroscience with systems-level understanding of sensory processing, particularly examining how neuromodulators like adenosine fine-tune signal-to-noise ratios in neural circuits.

Her scientific contributions include multiple publications in high-impact journals such as Neurochemistry International, Frontiers in Immunology, Molecular Psychiatry, and The Journal of Physiology, demonstrating interdisciplinary work that spans neuroscience, cell biology, and immunology.

Dr. Hirnet collaborates extensively with Professor Christian Lohr's research group and has contributed to significant projects including SFB 1328 on adenine nucleotides in immunity and inflammation, as well as earlier work on P2Y1 receptors in neuronal activity control. Her research employs sophisticated techniques including electrophysiology, genetically encoded sensors, and transgenic animal models to investigate fundamental mechanisms of neural communication.