Google Research and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) are revolutionizing brain mapping through a novel technique known as LICONN. For over a decade, Google Research has been at the forefront of connectomics, a field dedicated to understanding the intricate web of connections within the brain. Connectomics aims to create detailed maps of all the cells and their interconnections, which can provide valuable insights into brain function and neurological diseases. However, traditional methods often required expensive and specialized electron microscopes, limiting the accessibility of this research. To address this, ISTA developed a groundbreaking approach to expand brain tissue while maintaining its cellular structures intact. This technique allows light microscopes to capture nanoscale features, including molecules, cells, and their connections, with unprecedented precision. By expanding the tissue, researchers can visualize these minute details using standard laboratory equipment, significantly reducing the cost and complexity associated with brain mapping. Building on ISTA's expansion technique, Google Research employed a suite of open-source image analysis tools and artificial intelligence algorithms to reconstruct the cells and their connections. This combination of advanced imaging and AI has made it possible to achieve results that were previously only attainable with electron microscopes. The breakthrough means that more researchers around the world can now contribute to the field of connectomics, accelerating the pace of discovery. So far, LICONN has been used to map the neural circuits in mouse brain tissue. While this is a significant achievement in itself, the ultimate goal is to apply the technique to human brain tissue in the near future. This could lead to a deeper understanding of complex neurological conditions and potentially pave the way for new treatments and therapies. To learn more about LICONN and its role in advancing neuroscience, visit Google Research's website for detailed insights and ongoing developments.