Synthetic odors created by activating brain cells help neuroscientists understand how smell works

Brains recognize a smell based on which cells fire, in what order – the same way you recognize a song based on its pattern of notes. How much can you change the 'tune' and still know the smell?

Edmund Chong, Ph.D. Student in Neuroscience, New York University • conversation
July 8, 2020 ~8 min

Optogenetics with SOUL

The Feng lab has developed a next-generation optogenetic system for non-invasive stimulation of neurons.

Sabbi Lall | McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
May 7, 2020 ~5 min


Dirty flies offer clues to neural circuits

Researchers have mapped the brain mechanisms that drive movement in grooming fruit flies. That could help fight Parkinson's disease and OCD.

Sonia Fernandez-UCSB • futurity
March 6, 2020 ~6 min

New evidence that shows how the brain makes decisions

New technology helps dissect how the brain ignores or acts on information

Caitlin McDermott-Murphy • harvard
Feb. 7, 2020 ~5 min

Red and green light refine control of optogenetics

A new feat in optogenetics used red and green light to raise and lower the speed of beating heart cells.

National University of Singapore • futurity
Nov. 6, 2019 ~4 min

Can brain implants with lasers ‘reprogram’ our genomes?

"Optogenomics" could one day offer the ability to manipulate our genomes, potentially upending treatment for cancer and other diseases.

Cory Nealon-Buffalo • futurity
July 17, 2019 ~4 min

Leg nerves activated by light offer new path to restoring mobility

New optogenetic technique could help restore limb movement, treat muscle tremor.

Becky Ham | MIT Media Lab • mit
Dec. 26, 2018 ~7 min

Stress can lead to risky decisions | MIT News

Neuroscientists find chronic stress skews decisions toward higher-risk options.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Nov. 16, 2017 ~7 min


Next-generation optogenetic molecules control single neurons | MIT News

Focused laser beam could help scientists map connections among neurons that underlie behavior.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Nov. 13, 2017 ~8 min

MIT neuroscientists build case for new theory of memory formation | MIT News

Existence of “silent engrams” suggests that existing models of memory formation should be revised.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Oct. 23, 2017 ~8 min

/

5