Researcher Implants Laser-Activated Brain Cells

destinyland writes "A Stanford researcher has spliced light-sensitive algae genes into human brain cells to fire neurons when activated by a laser. Light is shined through an implanted fiber optic cable (blue light on, yellow light off), and the procedure can target very specific deep brain structures too fragile for most surgery. 'Once the researcher attaches the other end of the cable to a laser, he or she has absolute and flawless control over that group of neurons.' Science writer Quinn Norton cites it as a first attempt at 'building useful handles on the very things that make us ourselves.'"

Comments

Re:First Post!

[calmofthestorm]

We've been over this. God is sufficient but not necessary for consciousness. It's far too early to tell either way right now. Keep working on the Hard Problem:-)

Re:So....

[zarzu]

they need to open up the brain to insert the virus and it seems they install a 50 micrometer fiber optic cable that points to the specific cells right after that. and my best guess is that you have a cable coming out of your head which you then connect to the laser. the whole thing sounds pretty amazing with the whole algae and archaeon genes, very cool.

Here comes our direct Neural Link

[physburn]

Sci-fi has been having human "jacking in" to computer systems, via direct connection to the brain for a while. This technology ought to make that possible, Just how to make the brain cells actually connect themselves in some useful way to the rest of the brain, seems tricky though, and i hope these gene splice brain cells are safe against cancer etc.

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Futurology Feed @ Feed Distiller

Spinal damage

[quantumphaze]

I wonder if this can be applied to other purposes like bypassing damaged sections of a paraplegics spinal cord.

We would need to develop a neuron to laser device at the other end first, but the possibilities of making people walk again are worth investment.