blindspots

Apropos to our discussion of imaging techniques, I attended last year a lecture given by Dr. Michael Ehlers of Duke UMC. He explained the various aspects of his current research, including his mapping of neural circuits in the mouse olfactory system. To accomplish this effort, his lab described transgenic mice expressing the algal light-gated ion channel channelrhodopsin-2 in the CNS. Dr. Ehlers was then able to precisely regulate neuronal activity by photoillumination of cells expressing ChR2. This system allows for the exploration of complex neural circuits. I find this research fascinating, as doubtless this could offer new insights into the brain's complex neural network and into perception, as the process of sensory transduction, integration and association is better understood.