Harvard researchers have developed a groundbreaking silicon chip that can map over 70,000 synaptic connections from 2,000 rat neurons, pushing the boundaries of neural imaging technology. Led by Harvard professor Donhee Ham, the team published their research in Nature Biomedical Engineering, showcasing the chip’s ability to capture neural activity at a higher resolution than ever before.
Building upon a previous project from 2020 where they mapped 300 synaptic connections, this new chip allows scientists to construct a more precise biological map of brain connectivity. Unlike traditional techniques like electron microscopy, this method not only reveals the structure of neurons but also the strength of their connections and dynamic information.
While previous Nobel prize-winning techniques only record single neuron activity and lack scalability, the new silicon chip records signals in a parallel fashion with higher sensitivity. The chip’s development marks a significant advancement in neuromorphic engineering and AI, at a time when interest in silicon chips that mimic the brain is on the rise.
The researchers believe that their work will provide a valuable tool for neuroscientists and researchers to study and understand how neurons connect and function, both in the field of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Despite the enormity of the brain’s synaptic connections, the team sees their research as a small step towards unraveling the mysteries of the brain’s complex network and potentially developing the next generation of AI systems.
Overall, the research from Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences represents a notable achievement in the field of neural imaging and offers promising opportunities for future discoveries in neuroscience and AI.
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