19 June 2012
Brain Recipe
Our brains contain billions of neurons – highly specialised, communicative cells – that are formed throughout life from less specialised precursors. A complex cocktail of signals drives this transition, and deciphering the recipe is no mean feat. Now researchers have identified one ingredient, a protein called activin, that appears key. In the lab, this dishful of precursor cells (stained red with blue nuclei) has been treated with activin, and after several days most have turned into mature neurons (stained green with blue nuclei). Modelling the developing brain in a dish highlights how different ‘ingredients’ can coax precursors to become different cell types. This will help scientists select the most suitable precursor cells for use in the regenerative medicine of the future – where cells grafted into a damaged brain could help repair or replace failing neurons.
Written by
Search The Archive
Submit An Image
Like us on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Tumblr
Follow on Instagram
What is BPoD?
BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.
BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.