USING MRI, ENGINEERS HAVE FOUND A WAY TO DETECT LIGHT DEEP IN THE BRAIN

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

Scientists often label cells with proteins that glow to measure changes in gene expression, but this technique is difficult to apply to structures deep within the brain as light scatters too much before it can be detected. MIT engineers have engineered blood vessels to express a protein that causes them to dilate in the presence of light. This dilation can be observed with magnetic resonance imaging, allowing researchers to pinpoint the source of light. The new technique allows researchers to explore the inner workings of the brain in more detail than previously possible.