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
- Power of Samsung Wireless Chargers to Simplify Your Daily Routineon April 27, 2024 at 11:00 am
The quest of efficiency serves as a lighthouse directing our everyday activities in the fast-paced rhythm of contemporary life. As our lives expand in a symphony of responsibilities, commitments, and ...
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Widely available players ready to help your squadon April 26, 2024 at 4:49 am
If the paternity list didn’t make a mess of your fantasy roster this week, then the IL probably did. These are challenging times. We have a few recommended adds to help patch your damaged squad, ...
- Hunter Goodman - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 5)on April 25, 2024 at 10:48 am
Hunter Goodman is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for Week 5 (2024). Target this MLB prospect call-up as a free-agent waiver wire add for big-time power.
- Cleveland Public Power replaces pole after neighbors express concernson April 23, 2024 at 4:42 pm
News told you about the pole on April 16. It looks as if the pole could fall over any day. Wires were coiled with tree branches. It was a potential catastrophe if lightning strikes.
- Bragg Gaming and Light & Wonder Agree to an International Distribution Dealon April 22, 2024 at 9:00 am
Bragg Gaming Group Inc. (NASDAQ: BRAG, TSX: BRAG) (“Bragg” or the “Company”), a global B2B gaming technology and content provider, today announced it ...
- Toyoda Gosei Develops UV-C LED with World-Class Light Outputon April 21, 2024 at 9:58 pm
Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:7282) has developed deep ultraviolet (UV-C) LEDs with light output that is among the highest in the world. 1 UV-C is used in disinfection as it destroys viral and ...
- Lanes reopen on I-185 after being shut down due to live electrical wires on roadwayon April 19, 2024 at 1:05 pm
According to the Columbus Police Department, all lanes of I-185 and Exits 4 to 6 have been shut down due to electrical wires on the roadway.
- Power being restored to thousands after strong storms roll through Pittsburgh areaon April 18, 2024 at 3:17 am
Duquesne light crews have been busy restoring power overnight and have made a lot of progress after strong storms rolled through the area. At the height of the storm, Duquesne Light reported more than ...
- ISP: Wires pulled down by semi-truck in northern Vanderburgh Countyon April 17, 2024 at 11:18 pm
According to ISP, a semi truck clipped already low hanging wires near Rusher Creek and US 41 and pulled them down.
- KYTC: There are around 1400 lights out in Louisville due to copper wire theftson April 17, 2024 at 9:41 pm
KYTC said the blackouts due to the stolen copper wire are mainly concentrated around and within the Watterson Expressway.
via Bing News