Stanford researchers have turned a dreary gray brain into an object as transparent as apricot Jell-O -- an approach that will reveal new secrets into the most mysterious of organs.

The process, called CLARITY, transforms the brain's tissue -- replacing opaque fat with a clear gel -- and creates a limpid organ with all of its essential circuitry intact and in place.

"Brain tissue is very dense," said researcher Kwanghun Chung. "We have developed a technique that makes tissue transparent...so we can visualize the architecture, necessary to understand the function of the complex organ."

The technique ushers in a new era of whole-organ imaging, offering hope for improving the study of such devastating neurological disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

It was conceived by a team led by bioengineer and psychiatrist Dr. Karl Deisseroth, one of the 15 experts on the "dream team" that will map out the goals for the $100 million brain research inititive announced April 2 by President Obama.

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Stanford researchers have turned a dreary gray brain into an object as transparent as apricot Jell-O -- an approach that will reveal new secrets into the most mysterious of organs.

The process, called CLARITY, transforms the brain's tissue -- replacing opaque fat with a clear gel -- and creates a limpid organ with all of its essential circuitry intact and in place.

"Brain tissue is very dense," said researcher Kwanghun Chung. "We have developed a technique that makes tissue transparent...so we can visualize the architecture, necessary to understand the function of the complex organ."

The technique ushers in a new era of whole-organ imaging, offering hope for improving the study of such devastating neurological disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

It was conceived by a team led by bioengineer and psychiatrist Dr. Karl Deisseroth, one of the 15 experts on the "dream team" that will map out the goals for the $100 million brain research inititive announced April 2 by President Obama.

Click Here to read more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/stanford-transparent-brain_n_3055273.html#slide=2271949