Ed Boyden: How to develop technologies worthy of a Nobel prize | Optogenetics & Expansion Microscopy

In this episode, we’re honoured to host Prof. Dr. Ed Boyden, a pioneering neuroscientist, inventor, entrepreneur and MIT professor who is widely known for his immense contribution to life sciences, especially to the field of neuroscience. Prof. Boyden holds nearly 300 patents and leads advancements in neural technology, from optogenetics to expansion microscopy. These innovative tools are significantly advancing our understanding of the brain, and driving groundbreaking neuroscience discoveries.

We uncovered the story behind optogenetics, exploring how it began and the challenges Prof. Boyden faced in bringing this remarkable method to life. He also introduces us to expansion microscopy, a powerful technique that allows scientists to physically "expand" biological samples, achieving nanoscale precision imaging to study cellular structures and brain connectivity with unprecedented detail. We also talked about multiplex live-imaging - an innovative approach to observe cellular processes in cells and living organisms.

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Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, SFB_1286, as well as MBExC.

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Timestamps:
00:00:00 - In this episode
00:00:27 - Introduction
00:04:20 - What is optogenetics
00:06:18 - How was the idea for optogenetics born?
00:09:24 - How did people react to the idea of nanotechnology the brain?
00:14:20 - Applications of optogenetics
00:16:30 - Manipulation of behaviour using optogenetics
00:18:39 - Helping blind people using optogenetics
00:24:00 - Advanced chips stimulating the brain
00:28:00 - Expansion Microscopy
00:30:56 - Problems solved with expansion microscopy
00:34:20 - How exactly does expansion microscopy work?
00:39:07 - How does connectomics help you understand thought?
00:41:33 - Other technological inventions (multiplex live imaging)
00:42:20 - How does the internet inspire brain imaging?
00:46:20 - Technologies monitoring brain activity in the living human brain
00:47:40 - Things to keep you sharp outside academia
00:49:40 - The best scientific institute
00:51:35 - History of innovations in biology
00:53:22 - Why is studying consciousness hard?

Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali

#Optogenetics #ExpansionMicroscopy #Neuroscience #BrainResearch #Neurotechnology #BrainScience #MIT