Japanese Scientists Create Transparent Brain

Japanese scientists succeeded in creating a transparent brain. By using a solution called SCA le, scientists are altering the brain's white-colored mice that were previously opaque to crystal clear. The brain is made ​​transparent could help scientists see the fluorescent marker inserted in the rat. Medical imaging enters new era with the creation of this transparent brain.

"Our current research is focused on the rat brain, but its application was limited to mice or brain," said Atsushi Miyawaki, RIKEN Brain Institute Japanese researchers who created this transparent brain. "We can develop the use of SCA le to other organs such as heart, muscle and kidney and in tissues of primates and human biopsy samples, "continued Miyawaki quoted as saying by National Geographic. SCA le is a solution made ​​from a material that is relatively simple.  

Its composition is urea (the main compound in the urine), glycerol (a compound also found in soaps) and detergent called Triton X. To make the brain transparent, the brain organ soaked for 2 weeks in this solution. Unlike other solutions are also used to help see the brain, the SCA did not eliminate the fluorescent marker le. During this time, a fluorescent marker used to assist fluorescent imaging. fluorescent imaging technique itself used to map brain architecture, ranging network of nerves, blood vessels and other structures.

 The brain is made ​​transparent to assist mapping of brain architecture. More breadth, transparent organ imaging could help early before a more expensive imaging such as CT and MRI. Applications for disease management, physicians can analyze whether the care provided is really an impact on the target organ.These things can not be done before the medical world. Despite many benefits, le SCA solution will not be widely used soon. Miyawaki said, SCA le is still too toxic to use. "We are currently looking for candidates other reagents that allow us to study the living tissue in the same way with a lower transparency," says Miyawaki. Miyawaki discovery published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.