Seeing circuits assemble.
Developmental neurobiology has been greatly invigorated by a recent string of breakthroughs in molecular biology and optical physics that permit direct in vivo observation of neural circuit assembly. The imaging done thus far suggests that as brains are built, a significant amount of unbuilding is also occurring. We offer the view that this tumult is the result of the intersecting behaviors of the many single-celled creatures (i.e., neurons, glia, and progenitors) that inhabit brains. New tools will certainly be needed if we wish to monitor the myriad cooperative and competitive interactions at play in the cellular society that builds brains.
Lichtman
Jeff W
JW
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Smith
Stephen J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins