Friday, November 2nd, 2007

Building a Brainbow

(Credits: Tamily Weissman, Jean Livet, Joshua Sanes, Jeff Lichtman) See More Videos

Researchers have developed a technique that takes brain mapping to a new level, allowing them to label individual neurons in the brain in different colors. The technique, dubbed 'brainbow' by the researchers involved, could help scientists gain a better understanding of brain function than previous staining techniques allow.

"There are few tools neuroscientists can use to tease out the wiring diagram of the nervous system; Brainbow should help us much better map out the brain and nervous system's complex tangle of neurons," said Jeff Lichtman, one of the authors of a report on the technique published in the journal Nature. (Full disclosure: Lichtman is also the father of Science Friday digital media producer Flora Lichtman.)

In this segment, Ira talks with Lichtman about the technique and its potential applications to neuroscience.