Robot suit is a suit with mechanical devices which can assist people's daily work especially for the disabled.
Person who devotes himself to the industry of robot suit should has a deep understanding of electrical engineering and automation（电气工程与自动化）as opposed to electrical and information engineering(电子信息工程）which mainly focuses computer hardware. The latter could build nano scale robots（with automation tech) called Nano-Electromechanical System, NEMS, 纳机电系统).
One commercialized product of robot suit is called "Hybrid Assistive Limb"(HAL). It has 3 forms - the upper part(the body), the lower part(the leg), and the whole body. Different form could be used for specific purposes like weight carrying and walk assistance.
If the price could be lowered, HAL and robot suit will be popular like today's computer. I guess it needs 20-30 years for this day to come.
2010年7月11日星期日
2010年2月10日星期三
BCI X prize
X prize foundation is a non-profit organization which promote technology innovation including commercial space flight capsule.
Now it has established a Brain Computer Interface X prize to promote BCI and maybe larger distributive human machine interface.
More could be seen below.
http://singularityhub.com/2010/01/21/igniting-a-brain-computer-interface-revolution-bci-x-prize/
&
Igniting a Brain-Computer Interface Revolution – BCI X PRIZE
Now it has established a Brain Computer Interface X prize to promote BCI and maybe larger distributive human machine interface.
More could be seen below.
http://singularityhub.com/2010/01/21/igniting-a-brain-computer-interface-revolution-bci-x-prize/
&
Igniting a Brain-Computer Interface Revolution – BCI X PRIZE
2010年1月26日星期二
Cold spring harbour asia conference center
Suzhou
Cold Spring Harbor Asia conferences will be held at Suzhou Dushu Lake Conference Center in Suzhou, China, sixty miles west of Shanghai and in easy reach of international and domestic airports. Suzhou is an ancient city known as the Venice of China, famous for its canals and private gardens and home to scholars for more than two millenia. Symposia, conferences and summer schools follow the Cold Spring Harbor tradition in showcasing merit-based scientific advances in an informal but intense atmosphere.
To encourage participation by significant international participation from throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas, the language of all programs will be English.
-----------------
And this place intends to cooperate with Shanghai neuroscience insitute, Chinese academy of sciences according to MumingPU at here（Chinese）
Cold Spring Harbor Asia conferences will be held at Suzhou Dushu Lake Conference Center in Suzhou, China, sixty miles west of Shanghai and in easy reach of international and domestic airports. Suzhou is an ancient city known as the Venice of China, famous for its canals and private gardens and home to scholars for more than two millenia. Symposia, conferences and summer schools follow the Cold Spring Harbor tradition in showcasing merit-based scientific advances in an informal but intense atmosphere.
To encourage participation by significant international participation from throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas, the language of all programs will be English.
-----------------
And this place intends to cooperate with Shanghai neuroscience insitute, Chinese academy of sciences according to MumingPU at here（Chinese）
2010年1月23日星期六
What's Neurotech?
I created this blog about 1 year ago, and today it's almost one year(01/31/09-01/23/10, GMT+8). Cauz this anniversary, I've recently read about IC(Intelligence Community)'s report on neurotech from emerging cognitive neuroscience(uploaded in Google group) and will tell readers briefly what neurotech will cover according to it.
The report offered a complete framework on cognitive neuroscience fields including:
-Detection of deception tech with the help of neuroimaging
-Neuroimaging systems with real time brain activity measurement and implications for coaching and mind control esp. for military purpose
-Neuropsychopharmacology and nanobiomedicine tech to develop enhancers like cognitive, affective and sensory
-Computational biological models and artificial intelligence which work hard to replicate "mind" outside human body
-Distributed human machine system
-Brain computer interface
-Cyborg which means part of human body (usually motor system) is replaced by machine
-Cognitive Cyborg which means part of human advanced brain function is replaced
-Intelligent robot assistant
And within those tech, drug enhancers and distributed human machine system are predicted to be closest to reality and maybe societal change.
The report offered a complete framework on cognitive neuroscience fields including:
-Detection of deception tech with the help of neuroimaging
-Neuroimaging systems with real time brain activity measurement and implications for coaching and mind control esp. for military purpose
-Neuropsychopharmacology and nanobiomedicine tech to develop enhancers like cognitive, affective and sensory
-Computational biological models and artificial intelligence which work hard to replicate "mind" outside human body
-Distributed human machine system
-Brain computer interface
-Cyborg which means part of human body (usually motor system) is replaced by machine
-Cognitive Cyborg which means part of human advanced brain function is replaced
-Intelligent robot assistant
And within those tech, drug enhancers and distributed human machine system are predicted to be closest to reality and maybe societal change.
2010年1月9日星期六
Neuroengineering institute in China
Neuroengineering is the subfield of biomedical engineering. It seems more related to NBIC and Psychology.
Here is the list without institute ranking information:
1.Tianjin Neural Engineering Research Center, TNERC
2.Institute of Neural Engineering, TsingHua University
3.Research Center of Neural Engineering, Shenzheng Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
4.Wuhan Insitute of Neuroscience & Neuroengineering, South Central University of Nationalities
5.Research Center of Neuroscience & Neuroengineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University Med-X Institute
==========
East China Normal University also has an institute named nbic.ecnu.edu.cn(only a mail server, but offers a lot).
Here is the list without institute ranking information:
1.Tianjin Neural Engineering Research Center, TNERC
2.Institute of Neural Engineering, TsingHua University
3.Research Center of Neural Engineering, Shenzheng Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
4.Wuhan Insitute of Neuroscience & Neuroengineering, South Central University of Nationalities
5.Research Center of Neuroscience & Neuroengineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University Med-X Institute
==========
East China Normal University also has an institute named nbic.ecnu.edu.cn(only a mail server, but offers a lot).
2009年12月19日星期六
In movie: Nano-robot
About 2 months ago I watched a movie: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (in chinese: 特种部队：眼镜蛇的崛起). I was impressed by the weapon which crimes use to destroy Paris (exactly Eiffel Tower）in just 10 seconds (time in the movie). Which sci-fi weapon has this kind of power? Maybe it's nano-robot. These guys are self reproducible and if without any control, like after n times of self reproduction all guys will detroy themselves, they will soon ruin earth (not only the surface). Gezhi.org has an interesting article on "how to use nano-robot to destroy earth"(in chinese). It mentioned a movie at here ( http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/23426 ). Watch it(from youtube)! It's amazing.
Below is a sci-fi snapshot of nano-robot by artist Adam Baines. Imaging this guy come into your brain, will it be OK?
http://www.321design.com.cn/blog/attachments/month_0912/i20091215111917.jpg
Below is a sci-fi snapshot of nano-robot by artist Adam Baines. Imaging this guy come into your brain, will it be OK?
http://www.321design.com.cn/blog/attachments/month_0912/i20091215111917.jpg
Neural prosthesis and neural engineering
In medicine there are two ways to save people's lives. One is medicine which uses drug to cure without any damage of human body. The other is surgery which uses invasive operation.
Thus we can divide neural scientific applications into those two ways.
Biomedical engineering has a subfield called neural prosthesis, neural regeneration, or neural restoration.(in chinese:神经修复）
Two important techs of neural prosthesis, cyborg( BCI or HMI ) and brain function enhancement drugs, are very similar to them. The former belongs to surgery, and the latter belongs to medicine.
I guess as for some molecule level, surgical operations will be useless because biostructure is too small. But at cell level, it seems both ways are OK. For larger biostructure, surgical operations will take its role. Am I right? Pls tell me your opinion. It would be highly appreciated.
------------------------
If disabled people use BCI they get cured. If normal people get it they become cyborg or human v2.0.
If psychiatric patient and those who have brain function disorder get enhancement drugs they get cured. If normal get them they become (no formal term) "superman"?
From patient to normal, neural prosthesis becomes neural engineering.
Thus we can divide neural scientific applications into those two ways.
Biomedical engineering has a subfield called neural prosthesis, neural regeneration, or neural restoration.(in chinese:神经修复）
Two important techs of neural prosthesis, cyborg( BCI or HMI ) and brain function enhancement drugs, are very similar to them. The former belongs to surgery, and the latter belongs to medicine.
I guess as for some molecule level, surgical operations will be useless because biostructure is too small. But at cell level, it seems both ways are OK. For larger biostructure, surgical operations will take its role. Am I right? Pls tell me your opinion. It would be highly appreciated.
------------------------
If disabled people use BCI they get cured. If normal people get it they become cyborg or human v2.0.
If psychiatric patient and those who have brain function disorder get enhancement drugs they get cured. If normal get them they become (no formal term) "superman"?
From patient to normal, neural prosthesis becomes neural engineering.
2009年10月29日星期四
“纳米机器人面面观”与“机器视觉”
howstaffworks.com is a world leading DIY website. It can be frequently seen in douban as website recommendations.
Its chinese version (science.bowenwang.com.cn) offers a lot about advanced techs. Recently I saw two of them related to Brain Science.
One talks about nano machine by Jonathan Strickland. As in everyday experience, robots have some human like functions such as manufacturing, moving. So it has already been used at least in auto manufacture industry. Nano robot uses nano tech to produce robot that can reproduce itself using resources from the enviroment, like virus, and can move or repair some microstructures in human body, like cell. Most importantly, it can also be navigated/controlled using tracking tech like MRI outside human body.
However, what kind of material this little robot is made of is still unknown as I know. Possibly it is made by nano silicon tech or synthetic biology tech. Both have the chance to revolutionize what we call human. If you have played game Metal Gear Solid(TM) 4, you will see nano robots' function. In it, soldiers are controlled by it and become emotional modifiable, cognitive enchanced, and psychotelepathy among a group of soldiers because of communication ablity between nano robots.
Another article talks about computer vision. Here I will not cover the details because I don't know much about it. This tech may be useful in neuroscience/psychology simulation. Computerized human sense is the next frontier in computational neuroscience. Today's neurosciences related to cognitive function, and those done by neuroscientists, mostly cover topics like vision, memory. In engineering, those field will soon become computer X like topics.
Its chinese version (science.bowenwang.com.cn) offers a lot about advanced techs. Recently I saw two of them related to Brain Science.
One talks about nano machine by Jonathan Strickland. As in everyday experience, robots have some human like functions such as manufacturing, moving. So it has already been used at least in auto manufacture industry. Nano robot uses nano tech to produce robot that can reproduce itself using resources from the enviroment, like virus, and can move or repair some microstructures in human body, like cell. Most importantly, it can also be navigated/controlled using tracking tech like MRI outside human body.
However, what kind of material this little robot is made of is still unknown as I know. Possibly it is made by nano silicon tech or synthetic biology tech. Both have the chance to revolutionize what we call human. If you have played game Metal Gear Solid(TM) 4, you will see nano robots' function. In it, soldiers are controlled by it and become emotional modifiable, cognitive enchanced, and psychotelepathy among a group of soldiers because of communication ablity between nano robots.
Another article talks about computer vision. Here I will not cover the details because I don't know much about it. This tech may be useful in neuroscience/psychology simulation. Computerized human sense is the next frontier in computational neuroscience. Today's neurosciences related to cognitive function, and those done by neuroscientists, mostly cover topics like vision, memory. In engineering, those field will soon become computer X like topics.
2009年9月18日星期五
终于更新了
快半个月了吧，上一个帖子，对不住大家。。。。现在我不像以前每天能看1000+的rss更新了，所以只能放一些不是很深入的内容了。
另外，co.cc免费域名被GFW了，各位国内的朋友要访问要翻墙，所以请多去论坛。等我毕业后，会购买一个info或者com域名，那个时候会好一点。
最近的新体验不是很多，大致说来有三方面。
1.open MRI
MRI技术有时候真的能让人打开眼界，这次的更新有2个和MRI有关。最近看日剧Mr.Brain，了解到里面的MRI机器的正式名称是open MRI。据dixin的博客留言所说，open MRI使用了永磁体而非超导体，就技术实现来说，永磁体肯定是没有超导体强的，所以估计3T（只有3T才能做功能MRI）是别想了。但也正是因为永磁体的关系，open MRI能做成开放式而不是超导MRI的圆筒封闭式。估计GE之类的公司不生产open MRI。我以为这种设计是解决幽闭症患者的恐惧问题。真得很期待MRI技术的新发展，特别是portable MRI。
2.白质fMRI成像
最近因为搞裂脑人论文，观察到fMRI的技术有新的趋势，可以做白质的功能成像，这个完美了，呵呵。
原来MRI技术主要是做结构MRI（成像大脑的灰质，不知道是否有白质，但考虑到DTI，估计没有白质），后来又有了fMRI，做灰质的功能成像。与fMRI一起发展起来的技术是DTI，专门用来成像神经纤维（白质），现在终于有了白质的fMRI成像（在发展中）。这一条技术路线给人的感觉很顺畅，说不定最后MRI机器连TMS脑刺激都能做了。
抱歉：Gazzaniga的文章错了，做白质fMRI的文章应该是：
Fabri, M., G. Polonara, et al. (2001). "Posterior corpus callosum and interhemispheric transfer of somatosensory information: An fMRI and neuropsychological study of a partially callosotomized patient." Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 13(8): 1071-1079.
3.合成生物学与生物砖(bio-brick）
合成生物学是工程学发明的名词，说白了就是利用可控的分子过程体外重建一个细胞、一个组织、甚至是一个生命。这些东西在自然界不一定有，也可以是全新的形式。而生物砖就是指这些可控的分子过程，就像砖块，一块块砌在一起，整体的生命就出现了。知道这些还要拜我校脑所的同学们，他们一位师兄的演讲，让我了解了生物砖的概念。如果从认知神经科学的角度出发，生物砖概念和Fodor的认知模块说很相近。
这里我提出一个自己的想法：虽然生物砖的说法很好理解，但根据他们的实际演示，我觉得这不是一块砖，可能是功能上相对独立的一个分子作用网络（或者分子回路，类似于电路里的某种简单回路），说砖不是很贴切。。。
----------------
好了，同学们。BTW，我在顺便啰嗦下这个博客的规划。虽然这个博客目前流量还不是很高，但我想把它一直做下去，可能也作为我的创业计划的一部分。定位还是以与脑科学相关的新技术（并且要有产业化前景）为主，脑科学（NBIC）新的理论/科研进展、科研经验等作为辅助内容。最终的希望是以杂志的形式线下出版，当然，里面的内容肯定没有线上那么三言两语那么简单了。希望大家持续关注，谢谢：）
另外，co.cc免费域名被GFW了，各位国内的朋友要访问要翻墙，所以请多去论坛。等我毕业后，会购买一个info或者com域名，那个时候会好一点。
最近的新体验不是很多，大致说来有三方面。
1.open MRI
MRI技术有时候真的能让人打开眼界，这次的更新有2个和MRI有关。最近看日剧Mr.Brain，了解到里面的MRI机器的正式名称是open MRI。据dixin的博客留言所说，open MRI使用了永磁体而非超导体，就技术实现来说，永磁体肯定是没有超导体强的，所以估计3T（只有3T才能做功能MRI）是别想了。但也正是因为永磁体的关系，open MRI能做成开放式而不是超导MRI的圆筒封闭式。估计GE之类的公司不生产open MRI。我以为这种设计是解决幽闭症患者的恐惧问题。真得很期待MRI技术的新发展，特别是portable MRI。
2.白质fMRI成像
最近因为搞裂脑人论文，观察到fMRI的技术有新的趋势，可以做白质的功能成像，这个完美了，呵呵。
原来MRI技术主要是做结构MRI（成像大脑的灰质，不知道是否有白质，但考虑到DTI，估计没有白质），后来又有了fMRI，做灰质的功能成像。与fMRI一起发展起来的技术是DTI，专门用来成像神经纤维（白质），现在终于有了白质的fMRI成像（在发展中）。这一条技术路线给人的感觉很顺畅，说不定最后MRI机器连TMS脑刺激都能做了。
抱歉：Gazzaniga的文章错了，做白质fMRI的文章应该是：
Fabri, M., G. Polonara, et al. (2001). "Posterior corpus callosum and interhemispheric transfer of somatosensory information: An fMRI and neuropsychological study of a partially callosotomized patient." Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 13(8): 1071-1079.
3.合成生物学与生物砖(bio-brick）
合成生物学是工程学发明的名词，说白了就是利用可控的分子过程体外重建一个细胞、一个组织、甚至是一个生命。这些东西在自然界不一定有，也可以是全新的形式。而生物砖就是指这些可控的分子过程，就像砖块，一块块砌在一起，整体的生命就出现了。知道这些还要拜我校脑所的同学们，他们一位师兄的演讲，让我了解了生物砖的概念。如果从认知神经科学的角度出发，生物砖概念和Fodor的认知模块说很相近。
这里我提出一个自己的想法：虽然生物砖的说法很好理解，但根据他们的实际演示，我觉得这不是一块砖，可能是功能上相对独立的一个分子作用网络（或者分子回路，类似于电路里的某种简单回路），说砖不是很贴切。。。
----------------
好了，同学们。BTW，我在顺便啰嗦下这个博客的规划。虽然这个博客目前流量还不是很高，但我想把它一直做下去，可能也作为我的创业计划的一部分。定位还是以与脑科学相关的新技术（并且要有产业化前景）为主，脑科学（NBIC）新的理论/科研进展、科研经验等作为辅助内容。最终的希望是以杂志的形式线下出版，当然，里面的内容肯定没有线上那么三言两语那么简单了。希望大家持续关注，谢谢：）
2009年5月26日星期二
微型生物工程机器人Virob
欢迎到Neurosociety论坛讨论相关问题。
以色列第8届生命科学与技术会议上，来自马来西亚Kebangsaan大学的研究团队展示了他们基于生物工程的微小机器人。
研究团队声称可以利用该机器人对身体内肿瘤进行微手术，同时还可以进行定点给药（targeted drug administration）。根据我不久前翻过的精神药理学，由于身体内的药物会有多个作用点，所以药效不好控制，但是定点给药似乎会抑制这种情况，使得副作用降低。
研究团队正在努力给机器人装上照相机、钳子等，拓展它的功能。
这种机器人看起来是纳米机器人的雏形。相比纳米机器人，它的体积还是太大，要达到分子级别才能被归类为纳米机器人。但是这样能够进行微手术的机器人技术出现也说明纳米机器人级别的研究正在涌现了。
想了解更多信息，可以跟踪这个研究团队的网页。
以色列第8届生命科学与技术会议上，来自马来西亚Kebangsaan大学的研究团队展示了他们基于生物工程的微小机器人。
研究团队声称可以利用该机器人对身体内肿瘤进行微手术，同时还可以进行定点给药（targeted drug administration）。根据我不久前翻过的精神药理学，由于身体内的药物会有多个作用点，所以药效不好控制，但是定点给药似乎会抑制这种情况，使得副作用降低。
研究团队正在努力给机器人装上照相机、钳子等，拓展它的功能。
这种机器人看起来是纳米机器人的雏形。相比纳米机器人，它的体积还是太大，要达到分子级别才能被归类为纳米机器人。但是这样能够进行微手术的机器人技术出现也说明纳米机器人级别的研究正在涌现了。
想了解更多信息，可以跟踪这个研究团队的网页。
2009年5月13日星期三
光基因技术：又一选择性神经调控技术
欢迎到Neurosociety群组讨论相关问题。
MIT的Boyden通过经基因工程处理的病毒感染特定位置神经元的某个离子通道让其开启，然后通过激光影响该神经元让其放电从而影响其他神经元。
这 个研究还是非常厉害的。但是只能影响特定的细胞，未免有点可惜。而且病毒是怎么定向地影响神经元某个位置呢？毕竟我以为就算是经过基因工程处理，一旦进入 体内（且不论它是如何进入的）在定位上仍然还是比较困难的，该文并没有提及怎么送到特定的神经元（以及神经元的某个离子通道）的问题。
很可惜，我看了下摘要，这个还是要打开颅腔的，也就是说是侵入性技术。
Source
Flashes of light may one day be used to control the human brain, and that day just got a lot closer.
Using lasers, researchers at the MIT Media Lab were able to activate a specific set of neurons in a monkey’s brain. Though the technique has been used to control and explore neural circuits in fish, flies and rodents, this is the first time the much-hyped technology has ever been used in primates.
“It paves the way for new therapies that could target a number of psychiatric disorders,” said MIT neuroscientist Ed Boyden, who led the research with postdoctoral fellow Xue Han. “This is very exciting from a translational standpoint.”
The beauty of this optogenetic technique is its specificity. By using a combination of lasers and genetic engineering, scientists can control, to the millisecond, the firing of a specific class of neurons, allowing them to pinpoint problematic cells and circuits while leaving innocent bystanders alone, thus minimizing potential side effects.
Viruses are engineered to infect neurons with a special type of channel, originally discovered in algae, which is sensitive to blue light. Once a blue laser shines on the infected neurons, the channels snap open, ions rush into the cell, and the neuron fires.
Crucial to the technique is that the virus is only injected into a very small part of the brain, and only a certain class of neurons, once infected, actually turn the channel on. The sharp laser beam further zeros in on a small portion of the brain. This precise aim is in contrast to current techniques, such as drugs and electrodes, both of which have a much broader reach.
The optogenetic method was pioneered in 2005 by Boyden and Karl Deisseroth at Stanford University and has since been used to understand how circuits of neurons control various behaviors, such as learning in mice and predator escape in fish. But until now, scientists had never demonstrated the technique in primates — a move essential for developing therapeutic uses for the technology in humans.
Boyden’s new research, published Wednesday in Neuron, demonstrates not only that the technology works in primates, but also that it is safe. The rhesus macaques received multiple rounds of injections and laser stimulations over the course of eight or nine months without damaging the neurons or activating the brain’s immune system, an obvious concern when viruses are involved.
“Many disorders are associated with changes in specific cell types,” said Boyden. “For therapeutic purposes, you want to affect certain cells, but you want to leave normal cells intact. The ability to use light to turn specific cells on and off with very precise timing could in principle allow new therapies.”
Future applications could involve using light-emitting neural prosthetics to replace the electrodes used in deep brain stimulation, which currently activate or silence a broad range of neurons. Deep brain stimulation has shown promise in treatments of Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and depression, but it has a number of side effects, stemming in part from its lack of specificity.
“Our ability to remedy problems in the brain may ultimately be limited by how many side effects occur,” said Boyden. “We could find ways to shut down seizures but the side effects might be intolerable. By pinpointing specific cell types, we could craft therapeutic neuromodulators and directly develop therapies, while preserving a high degree of well-being.”
Proving the method works in primate brains paves the way not only for cleaner therapies, but also for understanding the relationship between specific neural circuits and behaviors, particularly higher cognitive functions.
Genetically, mice are ideal model organisms — but their behavioral repertoire isn’t very sophisticated. If neuroscientists hope to understand and treat problems like ADHD, schizophrenia, depression and compulsive behaviors like addiction, they can run far-more-powerful experiments using primates.
“This is a very important and exciting step forward for all systems neuroscience,” said a neuroscientist who preferred to remain anonymous due to recent attacks against primate researchers.
“There are many limitations with the current way we try to understand neural circuits, primarily the lack of specificity. The hope is that as this sort of research continues in labs around the world, it will become possible to specifically target many different classes of neurons. We can learn how each of them contributes to specific cognitive functions.”
Citation: “Millisecond-Timescale Optical Control of Neural Dynamics in the Nonhuman Primate Brain,” by Xue Han, Xiaofeng Qian, Jacob G. Bernstein, Hui-hui Zhou, Giovanni Talei Franzesi, Patrick Stern, Roderick T. Bronson, Ann M. Graybiel, Robert Desimone and Edward S. Boyden. Neuron 62, 191–198, April 30, 2009.
MIT的Boyden通过经基因工程处理的病毒感染特定位置神经元的某个离子通道让其开启，然后通过激光影响该神经元让其放电从而影响其他神经元。
这 个研究还是非常厉害的。但是只能影响特定的细胞，未免有点可惜。而且病毒是怎么定向地影响神经元某个位置呢？毕竟我以为就算是经过基因工程处理，一旦进入 体内（且不论它是如何进入的）在定位上仍然还是比较困难的，该文并没有提及怎么送到特定的神经元（以及神经元的某个离子通道）的问题。
很可惜，我看了下摘要，这个还是要打开颅腔的，也就是说是侵入性技术。
Source
Flashes of light may one day be used to control the human brain, and that day just got a lot closer.
Using lasers, researchers at the MIT Media Lab were able to activate a specific set of neurons in a monkey’s brain. Though the technique has been used to control and explore neural circuits in fish, flies and rodents, this is the first time the much-hyped technology has ever been used in primates.
“It paves the way for new therapies that could target a number of psychiatric disorders,” said MIT neuroscientist Ed Boyden, who led the research with postdoctoral fellow Xue Han. “This is very exciting from a translational standpoint.”
The beauty of this optogenetic technique is its specificity. By using a combination of lasers and genetic engineering, scientists can control, to the millisecond, the firing of a specific class of neurons, allowing them to pinpoint problematic cells and circuits while leaving innocent bystanders alone, thus minimizing potential side effects.
Viruses are engineered to infect neurons with a special type of channel, originally discovered in algae, which is sensitive to blue light. Once a blue laser shines on the infected neurons, the channels snap open, ions rush into the cell, and the neuron fires.
Crucial to the technique is that the virus is only injected into a very small part of the brain, and only a certain class of neurons, once infected, actually turn the channel on. The sharp laser beam further zeros in on a small portion of the brain. This precise aim is in contrast to current techniques, such as drugs and electrodes, both of which have a much broader reach.
The optogenetic method was pioneered in 2005 by Boyden and Karl Deisseroth at Stanford University and has since been used to understand how circuits of neurons control various behaviors, such as learning in mice and predator escape in fish. But until now, scientists had never demonstrated the technique in primates — a move essential for developing therapeutic uses for the technology in humans.
Boyden’s new research, published Wednesday in Neuron, demonstrates not only that the technology works in primates, but also that it is safe. The rhesus macaques received multiple rounds of injections and laser stimulations over the course of eight or nine months without damaging the neurons or activating the brain’s immune system, an obvious concern when viruses are involved.
“Many disorders are associated with changes in specific cell types,” said Boyden. “For therapeutic purposes, you want to affect certain cells, but you want to leave normal cells intact. The ability to use light to turn specific cells on and off with very precise timing could in principle allow new therapies.”
Future applications could involve using light-emitting neural prosthetics to replace the electrodes used in deep brain stimulation, which currently activate or silence a broad range of neurons. Deep brain stimulation has shown promise in treatments of Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and depression, but it has a number of side effects, stemming in part from its lack of specificity.
“Our ability to remedy problems in the brain may ultimately be limited by how many side effects occur,” said Boyden. “We could find ways to shut down seizures but the side effects might be intolerable. By pinpointing specific cell types, we could craft therapeutic neuromodulators and directly develop therapies, while preserving a high degree of well-being.”
Proving the method works in primate brains paves the way not only for cleaner therapies, but also for understanding the relationship between specific neural circuits and behaviors, particularly higher cognitive functions.
Genetically, mice are ideal model organisms — but their behavioral repertoire isn’t very sophisticated. If neuroscientists hope to understand and treat problems like ADHD, schizophrenia, depression and compulsive behaviors like addiction, they can run far-more-powerful experiments using primates.
“This is a very important and exciting step forward for all systems neuroscience,” said a neuroscientist who preferred to remain anonymous due to recent attacks against primate researchers.
“There are many limitations with the current way we try to understand neural circuits, primarily the lack of specificity. The hope is that as this sort of research continues in labs around the world, it will become possible to specifically target many different classes of neurons. We can learn how each of them contributes to specific cognitive functions.”
Citation: “Millisecond-Timescale Optical Control of Neural Dynamics in the Nonhuman Primate Brain,” by Xue Han, Xiaofeng Qian, Jacob G. Bernstein, Hui-hui Zhou, Giovanni Talei Franzesi, Patrick Stern, Roderick T. Bronson, Ann M. Graybiel, Robert Desimone and Edward S. Boyden. Neuron 62, 191–198, April 30, 2009.
2009年5月5日星期二
Neurowarfare
Does the U.S. Need a Neurowarfare Strategy?
Posted by
"We are approaching a time when brain science will be critical to our national security. Whether the basis for enhanced human performance or more intelligent machines, the impacts will be broad, motivating innovations in technologies, policies and practices. The prospects are similar to an earlier time ( i.e.- the 19th century) when advances in scientific understanding of the chemistry of explosives revolutionized weaponry, and the ways in which war was conducted. Brain science is poised to incur similarly far-reaching changes. There is need for a coordinated strategy as brain science becomes an increasingly important component of, and the basis for potential threats to, our national security. This strategy should provide a roadmap for translating advances, bolstered by initiatives such as the proposed Decade of the Mind and National Neurotechnology Initiative, to the national security domain. This strategy should also assure safeguards and governance, promoting U.S. leadership in establishing standards for the application of brain science to military, intelligence and other security domains. At the Fourth Decade of the Mind Conference, January 13-15, 2009, four areas were identified wherein national security will be impacted by advances in brain science.
1. Adversarial Application of Brain Science exemplified by: (a) nanoparticles engineered to affect specific brain processes, (b) “super soldiers” created through pharmaceuticals and/or brain stimulation enabling troops to think/react more quickly, exert greater concentration, etc. (c) brain imaging for interrogation/lie detection, and (d) intelligent machines replicating the mechanisms by which humans and other animals perform signal detection, information processing, etc.
2. Expanding the Limits of Human-Machine Systems Performance through technologies overcoming human perceptual and cognitive constraints limiting today’s technological solutions.
3. “Learner Specific” Education and Training - customized to the variable strengths and weaknesses of learners minimizing knowledge acquisition time and maximizing outcomes.
4. Brain Injuries and Disorders - treatments curtailing and reversing brain damage with understanding of mechanisms underlying psychological resilience suggesting techniques for assessing susceptibility, protecting against and treating stress-related pathologies.
It is reasonable to assume other nations have focused research and development on each of these areas. We assert that the U.S. should not engage in compensatory, “catch-up” research programs, as this will be costly to our national security from both an economic and pragmatic perspective. There are few fields that are as rapidly advancing as brain science. Combined with innovations in nanotechnology, genetics, microelectronics, etc., advances in brain science will only accelerate, and it is probable that major breakthroughs relevant to national security are both viable and imminently achievable. Consequently, we argue that there is need for a coordinated, strategic effort to address the ramifications of brain science in the interest of our national security."
Note: For more about the legalities of neurowarfare I recommend this paper written by Cornell Law School student Stephen White.source: brainwaves
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评价：不管具有国防意义的可用于战争的神经技术，从这里面我们可以看到一些有用技术的总结。
2009年4月16日星期四
2009年4月13日星期一
今天晚上老乐的课-机器人组成的军队（幻想与现实）
今晚上了乐竟弘老师的课。讲注意。讲啊讲，讲到最后老乐high起来，开始扯谈50年（2050）后心理学给我们现在这一辈心理学学生所带来的机遇。
席间谈到阿西莫夫机器人三定律，他又说道美国军队会在2015年建立机器人旅，这是真的么？
呵呵，从现在看起来有两种可能，一个是心理学-人工智能为基础的机器人（纳米材料外壳，机械骨架，电路脑袋），一个是通过脑机接口技术实现的人类、动物、昆虫等生物机器人。
从现在技术实现性来看，后者更可能一些。
席间谈到阿西莫夫机器人三定律，他又说道美国军队会在2015年建立机器人旅，这是真的么？
呵呵，从现在看起来有两种可能，一个是心理学-人工智能为基础的机器人（纳米材料外壳，机械骨架，电路脑袋），一个是通过脑机接口技术实现的人类、动物、昆虫等生物机器人。
从现在技术实现性来看，后者更可能一些。
2009年4月12日星期日
Event Discusses Nanoscience for Neuroscience and Neurosurgery
"Nanoscience for Neuroscience and Neurosurgery" features Johns Hopkins faculty experts in nanobiotechnology, engineering, neuroscience, medicine, imaging, and public health. The poster submission deadline is May 4, 2009. Registration and poster title submissions may be made online at inbt.jhu.edu/symposium/registration/ Prizes will be awarded for the best poster presentations. "Nanoscience for Neuroscience and Neurosurgery" begins with talks from 9 a.m. until noon in Mountcastle Auditorium of the PreClinical Teaching Building, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, Md. An afternoon poster session will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Turner Concourse of the Turner Building, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, Md. Nanobiotechnology related research from across every division of the university and medical campus will be on display and presenters will be available to discuss their results. More information about the symposium, including poster submission guidelines, directions to the medical campus, and further information about the speakers is available at the Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology symposium website. Go to inbt.jhu.edu/symposium/ General registration without a poster is due by May 15, 2009. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available. Please visit INBT's website for more information. Speakers from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine include Ted Dawson, Abramson Professor of Neurodegenerative Diseases; John W. Griffin, Johns Hopkins University Distinguished Service Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience and Pathology and director of the Brain Science Institute; Michael T. McMahon, assistant professor of Radiology, MR Division; Alessandro Olivi, professor of Neurosurgery and Oncology and chair of Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center; and Jeffrey Rothstein, professor of Neurology and director of the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research. From the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering, featured speakers will be Sharon Gerecht, assistant professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Hai-Quan Mao, assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering. Tomas Guilarte, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, will be the featured speaker from the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Posted April 11th, 20009 Students and faculty are encouraged to submit posters for the Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology third annual symposium Monday, May 18, 2009 at the School of Medicine.
Presentation at the poster session of the 2008 NanoBio Symposium. Credit: Will Kirk/JHU
2009年4月8日星期三
Progress in Bionanotechnology Essential for Understanding of Cells and Development of New Therapeutics
The biological world contains a great many components and is, therefore, not straightforward to understand. However, research is accelerating as a result of the confluence of various disciplines. Collaboration between biologists, physicists and engineers has been particularly productive recently. These days, physical technologies enable us not only to perceive a single biological molecule (such as DNA) in a cell, but also to film, as it were, the interaction of this molecule with proteins. As Prof. Nynke Dekker puts it: “With the development of biology in the direction of the molecular scale, cell biology is taking on an increasingly ‘engineering’ character: the biologist’s approach is rapidly changing into that of the engineer.” Bionanotechnology World leader Pulling and turning Medicines Posted April 8th, 2009Progress in bionanotechnology is essential for our understanding of cells and for the development of new therapeutics, which nowadays increasingly function at the molecular level. This was one of the statements made by Prof. Nynke Dekker on Wednesday 8 April during her inaugural address at TU Delft, the Netherlands.
Bionanotechnologist Dekker explains: “Physicists and engineers are highly skilled in making, controlling and measuring small objects. You only have to look at the developments in quantum physics at the nanoscale, in which TU Delft has played a leading role.” Bionanotechnology is located on the interface between biology and nanotechnology and is, scientifically speaking, still largely unexplored. It is expected to become one of the key scientific areas of the 21st century. With the tools provided by nanotechnology, biological molecules can be accurately imaged, studied and controlled. This will lead to new insights in the functioning of the living cell.
Prof. Nynke Dekker (1971) is one of the prominent researchers in this field. She studied physics at Yale, USA, and obtained her doctorate at Harvard University, USA. She is also a member of the Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and received the prestigious European Young Investigators (EURYI) Award in 2007. According to the European Science Foundation, ESF, this puts Prof. Dekker in the top twenty excellent young researchers who are seen as potential world leaders in their fields.
She received the EURYI Award for her research into molecular motors and their interaction with individual DNA molecules. “Such experiments, in which you can control the state of DNA by pulling and turning it, have generated a lot of interest. If you can manipulate DNA to this extent, and watch it in real time, the next step is easy: why not add a protein that changes something about the DNA and see whether this is discernible?”
“A good deal of research focuses on using such single-molecule techniques, which the field has developed to such an extent that molecular motor movement along the elementary building blocks of DNA can be viewed. We hope to improve our understanding of the action of proteins at the molecular level in this way. This is essential for our understanding of the cell and for the future development of new therapeutics, which nowadays have an increasingly specific targets at the molecular level.” TU Delft recognises the enormous significance of the bionanosciences and, for this reason, is setting up a new department for this field. In the next decade, the university will be investing 10 million euros in this new department, which will form a part of the university’s successful Kavli Institute of Nanoscience.
source: Azonano.com
2009年3月31日星期二
BrainCells Inc. Appoints Philip Jochelson, M.D. Chief Medical Officer and Jason Levin Chief Business Officer
BrainCells Inc. Appoints Philip Jochelson, M.D. Chief Medical Officer and Jason Levin Chief Business Officer
SAN DIEGO, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- braincells Inc. (BCI), a company leading the scientific research of neurogenesis using its proprietary platform technology to identify novel pathways for the treatment of neurologic conditions, announced today the appointment of Dr. Philip Jochelson as chief medical officer and Jason Levin as chief business officer. Both have extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with specific expertise in building neurology assets for success. The two will serve in integral roles managing clinical programs and licensing/partnership agreements for braincells' pipeline of neurologic compounds.
..........
more on biomedicine.org
http://www.braincellsinc.com.
SAN DIEGO, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- braincells Inc. (BCI), a company leading the scientific research of neurogenesis using its proprietary platform technology to identify novel pathways for the treatment of neurologic conditions, announced today the appointment of Dr. Philip Jochelson as chief medical officer and Jason Levin as chief business officer. Both have extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with specific expertise in building neurology assets for success. The two will serve in integral roles managing clinical programs and licensing/partnership agreements for braincells' pipeline of neurologic compounds.
..........
more on biomedicine.org
About braincells Inc.
BrainCells Inc. (BCI) is a drug discovery and development company leading the scientific research of neurogenesis by applying its robust and proprietary platform technology to identify novel pathways for small molecule therapeutics to treat various neurologic conditions. Neurogenesis is the process by which endogenous stem cells in the adult human brain produce new brain tissue, including neurons. With its predictive screening platform, BCI can direct the selection and development of neurogenic compounds, increasing the opportunity for successful clinical trials in a variety of neurological indications. For more information, visithttp://www.braincellsinc.com.
Contact:
Kim Richards
Porter Novelli Life Sciences
619-849-5377
krichards@pnlifesciences.com
2009年3月29日星期日
PNAS：用纳米技术治疗毒瘾
美国科学家最近研制出一种纳米粒子，可用于运载特定的核糖核酸（RNA）链，关闭脑部一个与毒瘾有关的基因，这将有助于开发出治疗毒瘾的新疗法。
据美国《国家科学院院刊》网络版3月26日报道，过去的研究已发现，一种称为DARPP-32的脑部蛋白质在毒品成瘾过程中起关键作用。经过特别设 计的RNA链可以干扰相关基因，阻止该蛋白质分泌，因此有助于治疗毒瘾，但是缺乏安全有效的方法来将RNA链运送到所需要的部位。
美国纽约州立大学布法罗分校的科学家说，他们设计出一种杆状的纳米粒子，可以作为“运输工具”搭载治疗所需的RNA链，穿过血液与脑组织之间的屏障进入脑细胞。
实验表明，搭载在这种纳米粒子上的RNA链，有48%能穿过血脑屏障，效率比以往方法大大提高。
报道说，利用这种纳米粒子运载其他RNA链，还可治疗帕金森氏症、癌症及一些神经性疾病。该研究小组的一些科学家还将尝试用这种方法治疗艾滋病、痴呆症和哮喘等。(生物谷Bioon.com)
生物谷推荐原始出处：
PNAS，doi: 10.1073/pnas.0901715106 ，Adela C. Bonoiu，Paras N. Prasad
Nanotechnology approach for drug addiction therapy: Gene silencing using delivery of gold nanorod-siRNA nanoplex in dopaminergic neurons
Adela C. Bonoiua,1, Supriya D. Mahajanb,1, Hong Dinga, Indrajit Roya, Ken-Tye Yonga, Rajiv Kumara, Rui Hua, Earl J. Bergeya, Stanley A. Schwartzb and Paras N. Prasada,2
aInstitute for Lasers Photonics and Biophotonics, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260; and
bDepartment of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, The State University of New York, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY 14203
Drug abuse is a worldwide health concern in which addiction involves activation of the dopaminergic signaling pathway in the brain. Here, we introduce a nanotechnology approach that utilizes gold nanorod-DARPP-32 siRNA complexes (nanoplexes) that target this dopaminergic signaling pathway in the brain. The shift in the localized longitudinal plasmon resonance peak of gold nanorods (GNRs) was used to show their interaction with siRNA. Plasmonic enhanced dark field imaging was used to visualize the uptake of these nanoplexes in dopaminergic neurons in vitro. Gene silencing of the nanoplexes in these cells was evidenced by the reduction in the expression of key proteins (DARPP-32, ERK, and PP-1) belonging to this pathway, with no observed cytotoxicity. Moreover, these nanoplexes were shown to transmigrate across an in vitro model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Therefore, these nanoplexes appear to be suited for brain-specific delivery of appropriate siRNA for therapy of drug addiction and other brain diseases.
source:生物谷
2009年3月22日星期日
Nanorobot for Brain Aneurysm
Abstract:
In this paper we present how nanoelectronics should advance medicine, providing details on the teleoperated techniques and equipment design methodology necessary for the effective development of nanorobots. The platform architecture describes how to use a nanorobot for intracranial prognosis, and shows how it should be integrated for medical instrumentation. Furthermore, the current study establishes proteomics, nanobioelectronics, and electromagnetics as the basis to advance medical nanorobotics. To illustrate the proposed approach, the nanorobots must search for protein overexpression signals in order to recognize initial stages of aneurysm. An advanced nanomechatromics simulator, using a three-dimensional task-based environment, is implemented to provide an effective tool for device prototyping and medical instrumentation analysis. Thus, based on clinical data and nanobioelectronics, the proposed model offers details about how a nanorobot should help with the early detection of cerebral aneurysm.
Adriano Cavalcanti: CAN Center for Automation in Nanobiotech, Melbourne VIC 3168, Australia.
www.canbiotechnems.com/
Center for Automation in Nanobiotech
2009年3月6日星期五
100美元的基因组测试
据Medgadget报道，一个叫cao han的人开了一家生物技术公司，试图创立100美元的个人基因组测试方法。
该公司的技术被MIT技术评论评为2009十大科技创新之一。
从MIT提供的图片看来，测序工具确实使用的是纳米生物芯片技术，那么纳米生物技术的商业应用到目前为止可以有三个方向：
1.纳米生物芯片用来做基因组测序
2.纳米机器作为未来的药物技术的基础
3.纳米微电极做为分子神经科学的科研工具
该公司的技术被MIT技术评论评为2009十大科技创新之一。
从MIT提供的图片看来，测序工具确实使用的是纳米生物芯片技术，那么纳米生物技术的商业应用到目前为止可以有三个方向：
1.纳米生物芯片用来做基因组测序
2.纳米机器作为未来的药物技术的基础
3.纳米微电极做为分子神经科学的科研工具
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