New Study: Using Chip To Control The Mouse Event

The head of the experimenter in mice implanted with a very small chip, you can observe the natural behavior of mice by this chip to provide a basis for identifying potential nerve disease areas.

Recently, researchers have developed has become a new achievement looks very futuristic. Researchers can control the motor nerve cells of mice by remote LED chip, thereby controlling the mouse to control the body activities or peripheral nerve in accordance with the will of the experimenter.

It is reported that the study and equipment published in the "Nature Methods" the latest issue of the magazine, aims to become a neuroscientist in the field of genetic change in light of new technology, you can use light to control the activities of nerve cells. Experimenter in mice transplanted the head of a very small chip, you can observe the natural behavior of mice by this chip to provide a basis for identifying potential nerve disease areas.

"This wireless optical field of genetics is a whole new way, but its volume is small, only the control mice in the experiment." Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University Ada Poon representation.

Previously, ordinary light genetics researchers are connecting the brains of mice by external fiber, carried on neuronal stimulation. And this approach is clearly limits the scope of activities of normal mice, such as burrowing like. More importantly, if the scientists to control the mouse through the fiber optic attachment, obviously not conducive to the future in the field of research.

So far, it proved to be a light Genetics great tool for the study of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and other symptoms provides a basis, but the resolve to control behavior or electric components method you want to achieve is not easy.

The change is the addition of this new study wireless chip applications. Weight of this chip is only 20-50 mg, and the volume is also small enough to not only the brains of mice can be implanted, the implant may also include other parts of the spine and extremities, and researchers can stimulate peripheral nerves through the chip. And this little device will not alter the original rat nerve cells, without affecting normal activities. In the picture, we see a mouse in the range of activities and the LED light source can resonate, and the light is absorbed into the body, energy is transferred through the internal coil 2 mm of conduct.

Brain hole wide open for many readers, this technology could be used to implant the future of mankind and thus becomes a spiritual weapon control, but that is not true. Scientists say that the light can not control genetics human brain, because the human brain does not need associated neurons. And this technology is currently only in mice smaller animals such effect because in their brain, there is a name of opsin protein can be activated.