Tiny alga aids team in winning top science award
Three researchers won a major medical prize this month after utilizing a small single-celled plant to map brain activity.
A specific green microorganism moves toward illumination by employing a light-sensitive protein very much like the one in human eyes. When light hits this sensor, charged particles flow inside the cell to create a rapid signal that directs movement.
Scientists moved the gene for this protein into living animal neurons and used light flashes to turn individual cells on or off. This approach allowed them to locate the specific neural pathways that manage behavior, emotions, memories, sleep, and other bodily tasks.
This new method is helping experts study conditions such as sadness, worry, and movement disorders in laboratory settings. Researchers are also applying the technique to test ways of restoring sight for patients with retinal disorders.
These major medical advancements originate from earlier work on a simple organism that was previously considered obscure by biologists. The project proves that studying basic life forms can reveal deep secrets about complex human biology.