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New insights from tiny roundworms--early concept brain research


The tiny roundworm (C. elegans) is an important animal for brain research. It is transparent, so its neurons can be seen through a microscope. And its simple nervous system consists of just 302 neurons. Plus, the roundworm matures from an egg to an egg-laying adult in two days. Harvard University's Aravinthan Samuel will exploit all these benefits to document, for the first time, all behaviors and neural activities simultaneously demonstrated by an individual animal--a roundworm--as it matures from birth to adulthood. This project will shed light on the parallel development of brain circuits and behavior.

Credit: NSF

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