Mapping the Brain's Wiring: A Revolution in Neuroscience

From the tragic case of Phineas Gage to the rise of modern neuroscience, this article chronicles the ambitious quest to map the brain's connectome—a three-dimensional model of every physical connection between neurons. While mapping the connectomes of C. elegans and fruit flies has been successful, the complexity of mammalian brains presents immense challenges. Bay Area non-profit E11 Bio has developed a novel approach called "PRISM," utilizing expansion microscopy and protein barcoding to drastically reduce the cost and time required for connectome mapping. This technology promises to deliver a complete mouse connectome in five years for just $100 million, paving the way for revolutionary breakthroughs in treating neurological diseases, developing brain-computer interfaces, and even whole-brain emulation.