“The final purpose of our research is to map out the whole neural connection of human being. It would play a fundamental role in Artificial Intelligence technology “, said Neuroscientist.
The tissue clearing technology brought by China Institute for Brain Research garnered major attention in recent years, as scientists say it will help us to discover the secrets of the brain. Why is this so important? How will this technology change the world?
ZHAO HU Neuroscientist China Institute for Brain Research “These splashing lines and graphs are the neural cells of the mouse. In the past, we have to section the brain to map the neural connection, but it’s too complicated to finish. Ten Years ago, scientists turned to tissue clearing technology; that is to use a chemical to make the brain transparent so that microscopes can view neural connections. This will help us learn how the neurons in the mouse’s brain connect with one another and how they send out signals.”
Reporter said: “Mapping out the neural connections is the first step. In the future, scientists hope they can make use of tissue clearing technology to map out neural connections of the human brain. Though it’s extremely difficult and still has a long way to go, scientists have already begun this journey.”
Zhao Hu, a leading neuroscientist at China Institute for Brain Research, told that he is working together with his fellow researchers to use tissue clearing technology to help deaf people their regain hearing.
ZHAO HU Neuroscientist China Institute for Brain Research “People used to implant cochlear to regain acoustic capabilities. Now we are trying a new method with the help of neural connection map. If we know where the acoustic neural cells are, we can interface with the brain directly, so that the sound could be changed into electrical signal and inform the brain. Under similar methods, we can help people regain hearing and even visual capabilities.”
ZHAO HU Neuroscientist China Institute for Brain Research “The final purpose of our research is to map out the whole neural connection of human being. It would play a fundamental role in Artificial Intelligence technology and brain-computer interface technology. Because only you get this fundamental information of how neural cells work, AI technology could copy neural cells of human brain for calculation and scientists know exactly where they could engineer a machine with a human brain.”
To map out the human neural connection, scientists still need lots of work to have breakthrough. But once we compile this map, we’ll likely reveal the secret of how our minds work, said Reporter.
Originally published at CGTN