Feature

Let there be light

New technology illuminates neuronal conversations in the brain

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

In the beginning, the brain was a dark and shapeless void.

LET THERE BE LIGHT Neurons (illustrated) made to produce certain proteins can be activated by light. Pasieka/Science Photo Library/Getty Images
PROTEIN POWER Optogeneticists use the light-activated protein channelrhodopsin-2, made by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (shown). Pascal Goetgheluck/Photo Researchers, Inc.
FLIPPING THE SWTICH With light, a team turned on Kolmer-Agduhr nerve cells in zebra fish and found that the cells made the fish tails swish (images captured from swishing video shown).