Scientists from Freiburg Build a Microimplant that Uses a
Laser to Control Individual Nerve Cells
Activating and deactivating individual nerve cells in the
brain is something many neuroscientists wish they could do, as it would help
them to better understand how the brain works. Scientists in Freiburg and
Basel, Switzerland, have developed an implant that is able to genetically
modify specific nerve cells, control them with light stimuli, and measure their
electrical activity all at the same time. This novel 3-in-1 tool paves the way
for completely new experiments in neurobiology, also at Freiburg’s new Cluster
of Excellence BrainLinks-BrainTools.