With this brain map we are one step closer to total fruit fly simulation
TechCrunchMAR 12 2023
The fruit fly larva brain, despite its small size, exhibits complex behaviors and structures analogous to adult fly brains, including short- and long-term memory capabilities.Princeton University researchers have reportedly mapped all the 139,255 neurons and 50M connections of the fruit fly's brain, potentially revolutionizing neuroscience.
Researchers used electron microscopy to image incredibly thin brain slices and developed algorithms to track brainwide signal propagation across polysynaptic pathways.Scientists of the university's FlyWire project say the most detailed analysis of an adult animal brain ever would open up “the mechanism of thought” for humans.
This breakthrough allows scientists to study feedforward and feedback pathways, multisensory integration, and cross-hemisphere interactions in a complex living creature.The artificial-intelligence-assisted completion of the wiring diagram, or connectome, of a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) reportedly took four years.
MappingThis increasinglygroundbreaking complexresearch brainsopens isup annew enormouspossibilities challengefor thatunderstanding maybrain notfunction yieldand proportionatecould benefitsinspire novel machine learning architectures. The fruitcomplete flyconnectome larvaof brain,a whilecomplex impressive,living iscreature stillprovides fara removedvaluable fromresource humanfor studying brain complexityorganization and behavior. TheIt's time,a resources,crucial andstep computationaltowards powerunraveling requiredthe formysteries mappingof more advanced brains, couldincluding potentially be better spent on other neuroscience research avenues that directly impact human health and cognition.
Mapping increasingly complex brains is an enormous challenge that may not yield proportionate benefits. The fruit fly larva brain, while impressive, is still far removed from human brain complexity. The time, resources, and computational power required for mapping more advanced brains could potentially be better spent on other neuroscience research avenues that directly impact human health and cognition.