Neurons can connect with light
Stocktrek Images, Inc./Alamy
A method called neuroengineering, which connects unconnected neurons in the brain to change the behavior of an organism, could one day help treat spinal cord injuries.
The technique of manipulating neurons with light, known as optogenetics, already exists and is used for a variety of purposes, including controlling movement in worms (Caenorhabditis elegans). However, using this method in vertebrates, including humans, requires an invasive surgical procedure to allow light to reach specific brain cells.
The Institute’s Michael Krieg…
