♪ MUSIC ♪ X. NANCY XU: The objective of BRAIN EAGER grant is to develop new type of imaging tool, enable us to locate how synapse functions in real time. Particularly aim to understand how individual neurons communicate with each other, at molecular resolution in real time. So each of these neurons communicate with each other through the synapse. So the synapse is a dynamic structure between the neurons that enables the communication between the neurons. So the dynamic means it changes over time
. They have very complex molecular machinery and also including a multiple type of molecule, including different type of neurotransmitter and neurotransmitter receptor. Now molecular interaction between a neurotransmitter and receptor lead into the signaling process. What that means is that particular interaction at particular moment enable particular signaling process. Our current technology cannot do that so what our technology is able to do is we are able to make a different color of particle
based upon the different size and shape and they have different optical properties. What that means is that each of these particles, when you go down to nanometer scale, you can able to tune in on them based on the size and shape. And therefore they give you different colors. So we photodevelop using our imaging tool to allow us to look at individual color or particle simultaneously. You can just use a standard optical microscope lamp and allow us to look at potentially hundreds of different co
lors of molecules. And we can actually functionalize with this individual color of particles, different molecule, and therefore allow you to look at multiple types of molecule simultaneously. So what that means is that you can potentially look at multiple neurotransmitter. As it is, these are very small area which is about 20 nanometers gap between these two neurons which is so-called 'synapse cleft.' So how they actually interact to enable the signaling process. And one very important part is t
his type of particle is very, very photo-stable. So therefore allow you to look over time as long as you wish. So you can look over hours, you can look over days and potentially months. Now this type of particle not only image 'em by optical but also potentially image them using MRI. So therefore you can actually look at a brain without cut them up. Which is a new type of study. So what kind of application this kind of study can lead to, to understand how brain functions. So first of all you nee
d to know how brain functions at molecular scale because actually it's molecule to molecule interaction to within the brain function. Now Alzheimer's Disease is because we actually, our memories loss. So there are study that already demonstrated that signaling process between these neurons, these interactions lead to the storage of the information and memory. So just imagine your circle is disrupted. So therefore you can no longer function. How to repair them. So in order to repair them you need
to know what's the machinery between the interactions. Also more importantly you can also imagine how to potentially repair brain trauma. So these are the types of applications you can think about. Also think about how drug addiction is actually related to the neurotransmitter interacting with their receptor which is dopamine. But also people have depression which is actually related to the other type of neurotransmitter which is serotonin. So this is a bottom-up approach to understand how brai
n functions. So therefore we can actually define therapy to inhibit or enhance the neuron-neuron communication. So this type of study potentially can revolutionize our understanding how human mind functions but also potentially to develop the therapy to cure and also prevent brain disorders. ♪ MUSIC ♪
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