
The rod at top right is positioned to modify electrical signaling between the neurons. The entire image is smaller than the diameter of a single human hair.
Courtesy of Parameswaran, et al
The human brain largely remains a black box: How the network of fast-moving electrical signals turns into thought, movement and disease remains poorly understood. But it is electrical, so it can be hacked—the question is finding a precise, easy way to manipulate electrical signaling between neurons.
A new University of Chicago study shows how tiny, light-powered wires could be fashioned out of silicon to provide these electrical signals. Published Feb. 19 in Nature Nanotechnology, the study offers a new avenue to shed light on—and perhaps someday treat—brain disorders.
Ten years ago, the science world was alive with speculation about a recently discovered technique called optogenetics, which would manipulate neural activity with light. The problem is that it has to be done with genetics: inserting a gene into a target cell that would make it respond to light. Other ways of modulating neurons have since been suggested, but a perfect alternative remains elusive.
A team led by Asst. Prof. Bozhi Tian built minuscule wires previously designed for solar cells. These nanowires are so small that hundreds of them could sit side by side on the edge of a sheet of paper—putting them on the same scale as the parts of cells they’re trying to communicate with.
These nanowires combine two types of silicon to create a small electrical current when struck by light. Gold, diffused by a special process onto the surface of the wire, acts as a catalyst to promote electrochemical reactions.
“When the wire is in place and illuminated, the voltage difference between the inside and outside of the cell is slightly reduced. This lowers the barrier for the neuron to fire an electrical signal to its neighboring cells,” Tian said.
The team tested the approach with rat neurons grown in a lab, and saw they could indeed trigger neurons to fire these electrical signals.
“The nice thing about it is that both gold and silicon are biologically compatible materials,” said graduate student Ramya Parameswaran, the first author on the study. “Also, after they’re injected into the body, structures of this size would degrade naturally within a couple of months.”
“It’s a fundamental but very promising approach,” Tian said. They plan next to test the system in animals, which could both help researchers further understand how these electrical signals work in the brain as well as suggest ways to address problems like Parkinson’s disease or psychiatric disorders.
Learn more: Researchers invent tiny, light-powered wires to modulate brain’s electrical signals
The Latest on: Light-powered wires
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Light-powered wires” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Light-powered wires
- Video: Two Tulsa businesses suffer after they say a copper wire thief cut their electricityon June 8, 2023 at 7:32 pm
FOX23’s been hearing from two Tulsa businesses hit by vandals who cut the power to their buildings and stole copper wire.
- Two Tulsa businesses suffer after they say a copper wire thief cut their electricityon June 8, 2023 at 5:28 pm
FOX23’s been hearing from two Tulsa businesses hit by vandals who cut the power to their buildings and stole copper wire. It happened near 15th and Harvard. The businesses say it's going to cost them ...
- The Power Grid Is the Largest Machine In the World, and Our Nation’s Greatest Engineering Achievementon June 8, 2023 at 3:10 pm
The U.S. alone contains 600,000 miles of transmission lines and 5.5 million miles of distribution lines. Here’s how it all works.
- Unlocking photonic computing power with artificial 'life'on June 7, 2023 at 7:34 am
The never-ending quest for faster, smaller computers that can do more has led manufacturers to design ever tinier transistors that are now packed into computer chips by the tens of billions.
- Reell's first hollow-axis friction hinge allows wire pass-through for data and poweron June 7, 2023 at 7:27 am
Reell Precision Manufacturing, a world leader in innovative small package position and motion control, is pleased to introduce the latest addition to its product line: the HTH60 hollow-axis friction ...
- UPDATE: 3,300 customers in north/east West Seattle power outage; 55 customers out in lower Gatewoodon June 6, 2023 at 5:41 pm
Thanks for all the tips. Just appeared on the Seattle City Light outage map - almost 3,300 customers have lost power in north West Seattle. If you're in that area, you're going to hear sirens as large ...
- Bengals get huge slotting in new offseason power rankingson June 6, 2023 at 7:43 am
Tim Weaver of Seahawks Wire released a power rankings list of all NFL teams for the 2023 offseason as of where they stand June 1 and the Bengals were ranked second behind only the reigning Super Bowl ...
- Scientists Successfully Transmit Space-Based Solar Power to Earth for the First Timeon June 2, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Caltech's recent breakthrough has moved us closer to achieving the transformative potential of space-based solar power.
- Our Favorite Outdoor String Lights Are Over 40% Off on Amazon Right Nowon May 25, 2023 at 1:13 pm
These outdoor string lights are the best waterproof and weatherproof options for your patio, including energy-efficient LED lights and solar-powered options.
- Turn Any Sconce Into a Battery-Powered LED Light Fixtureon May 23, 2023 at 9:28 am
But hiring an electrician to run wire to your fixture can be pricey, especially if it’s just for one light. The advent of battery powered LED fixtures has made the need for wiring a light in the ...
via Bing News