Multimedia
Pioneering 3D maps of the entire human brain
Could cellular level maps of the human brain lead to early interventions in disorders like Alzheimer's disease? The team, from the Wyss Center, the University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospital, describes the innovative approach in which they compare healthy and diseased brains to detect cellular-level changes early.
Where I work: Seeing the invisible
Research technician Ivana Gantar explores the hidden microscopic world within mammalian brains using the latest lightsheet microscope technology.
ABILITY enters preclinical trial
A preclinical trial is underway with the ABILITY brain-computer interface system.
The study, which is being carried out in sheep, is a crucial step towards development of a fully implantable device to enable applications such as communication and movement for people with paralysis.
The trial will assess the safety and feasibility of brain signal recording and wireless transfer of neural data to a wearable computer.
The ABILITY device and an X-ray view of the device when implanted.
Image of the month: Five times larger than life
This new image of an expanded section of cortex from the human brain mapping project shows individual neurons (pink) and cell nuclei (pale blue). The team is using expansion microscopy – a technique that physically expands the tissue using polymers that swell in a similar way to a diaper when wet – so that more detail can be seen under a microscope. Chemical anchors fix the expanding polymer gel to the biological molecules in the sample increasing its 3D size. Here, the nuclei were 6 microns before expansion and around 30 microns after, making them five times larger. The team plans to use the technique to study synapses, the physical junctions that allow communication between neurons. By comparing synapses in healthy and diseased brains, the team hopes to discover precursors to neurodegenerative disorders and ultimately find ways to treat them.
Data acquired for the human brain mapping project using a confocal microscope. Labelling: Propidium iodide in pale blue (nuclei), MAP2 in pink (neurons). Credit: Samira Osterop, Laura Batti, Tomas Jorda.
Completely locked-in man uses brain-computer interface to communicate
The study, published in Nature Communications, paves the way for new technologies for people with severe paralysis.
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Revealing 3D anatomy with lightsheet microscopy
Microscopy is experiencing a revolution. Developers around the world are pushing microscope technology to the extremes.
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Epios: long-term brain monitoring technology
Brain signal recording with the subscalp Epios sensing electrodes (leads) is being carried out for the first time in patients at the University Hospital Bern, Inselspital.
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ALICe: State-of-the-art advanced lightsheet imaging center
Whole central nervous system lightsheet imaging of motor circuit and 3D surface rendering (Asboth et al. 2018). Courtine Lab, EPFL
ABILITY
The ABILITY implant prototype
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This month, discover how our new MICA project could revolutionize access and delivery of therapeutics to the brain, watch our human brain mapping video, meet new staff - and more!
Brain implant for communication in CLIS and first glimpse at gut-brain connection project
ABILITY enters preclinical trial and new collaboration for Alzheimer’s disease therapies
