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Around the turn of the 20th century, a Spanish neuroscientist named Santiago Ramón y Cajal created intricate images of intertwined neurons that changed brain science forever. His exquisite illustrations helped scientists understand some fundamental facts about the brain, namely that long-armed neurons—communicating over gaps called synapses—are the basic unit of our nervous system.
Now, a team of scientists has created a new system for imaging and analyzing neurons on a much finer scale, one they hope will produce insights into everything from developing brains to devastating mental disorders. The imaging system contains both hardware, which slices and photographs brain samples, and software that analyzes the data. The patented hardware is called ATUM, for automated tape collecting ultra-microtome. It uses a diamond knife to cut stained, plasticized samples of brain tissue into 30 nanomenter slices, then collects and photographs the samples with an electron microscope and stores the data. The scientists used a program called VAST to analyze the data, creating vivid color images of neurons at the level of individual synapses.Image credit: Kasthuri et al/Cell 2015
