Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Researcher Implants Laser-Activated Brain Cells

Posted by samzenpus on from the listen-to-the-light dept.

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.'"

8 of 98 comments (clear)

  1. Noodly Appendages by Kratisto · · Score: 5, Funny

    Exactly. The further science comes, the closer scientists will be to proving the existence of the Flying Spaghetti Monster: The source of creation, consciousness, and morality. Finally, we can have world peace when the people of Earth are united in worship of the one, true God.

    --
    Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone may be looking.
  2. Re:First Post! by calmofthestorm · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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:-)

    --
    93rd rule of Slashdot: No matter how obvious my sarcasm is, my comment will be taken seriously by someone.
  3. Re:Laser Heads by oneirophrenos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Like with all drugs that activate the nucleus accumbens, you'd develop tolerance. Soon even the largest laser doses wouldn't suffice, and you'd become a laser addict, roaming the streets, rummaging through trash containers, trying to find old CD drives to get your laser fix. Is that really the kind of life you want for yourself?

  4. Some pics by aztektum · · Score: 4, Funny

    Here's a pic of the subject hooked up to the machine.

    --
    :: aztek ::
    No sig for you!!
  5. Re:So.... by zarzu · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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.

  6. Here comes our direct Neural Link by physburn · · Score: 3, Interesting
    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.

    ---

    Futurology Feed @ Feed Distiller

  7. This isn't good... by Kid+Zero · · Score: 3, Funny

    everyone will become light headed.

  8. Spinal damage by quantumphaze · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

    --
    Unicode in Slashdot