Peter Somogyi is a biologist who studies neurobiology and brain anatomy. In particular, Peter researches how brain centres such as the cerebral cortex are organised structurally and how they control neural response times.

Using electron microscopy and other optical techniques, Peter is able to study brain activity. Neural signals that define how we react to our environment involve the interaction of cellular connections, signalling molecules and neurons and tend to be concentrated in specific areas of the brain. By understanding the interaction of these various system components, Peter’s research explains both normal and uncontrolled brain activity and has improved our understanding of sensory analysis and memory.

Peter identified cell types and located signalling molecules in synapses, outlining a mechanism he calls the chronocircuit. This system enables brain cells to time their activity in response to neural inputs, so that the body can respond quickly to changes in the environment.