under the microscope

When muscles work out, they help neurons to grow.

“Surprisingly, the researchers also found that neurons respond not only to the biochemical signals of exercise but also to its physical impacts. The team observed that when neurons are repeatedly pulled back and forth, similarly to how muscles contract and […]

under the microscope

When muscles work out, they help neurons to grow.

“Surprisingly, the researchers also found that neurons respond not only to the biochemical signals of exercise but also to its physical impacts. The team observed that when neurons are repeatedly pulled back and forth, similarly to how muscles contract and […]

under the microscope

When muscles work out, they help neurons to grow.

“Surprisingly, the researchers also found that neurons respond not only to the biochemical signals of exercise but also to its physical impacts. The team observed that when neurons are repeatedly pulled back and forth, similarly to how muscles contract and […]

big ideas

Thinking doesn’t just happen in the brain.

In October 2022, I shared this link where Michael Levin showcased work from his lab on organ regeneration. He had figured out that all cells communicate electrically, which is how they know what and where to be when they grow up. He demonstrated it by cutting a planarian […]

under the microscope

How stem cells make a human brain.

Our brains have a variety of different cells. We often here of neurons. There are also astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Understanding how stem cells differentiate into the various cells can help us understand why development sometimes goes wrong and leads to […]

under the microscope

How does a cell know that it’s supposed to build an arm?

This is an absolutely mind-blowing presentation by Michael Levin. “Our lab studies the way in which all cells, not just neurons, communicate as electrical networks that enable scaling of single-cell properties into collective intelligences that solve problems in anatomical feature […]