A 3D Printed Mouse Skull Implant Gives Researchers a Window to the Brain

A transparent 3D-printed skull is giving researchers a glimpse into the brain to gain insight into diseases and brain injuries such as concussions, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed See-Shell, a clear skull implant for mice, which allows researchers to see the entire brain surface in real time to better understand harmful and degenerative brain conditions in humans.
Before, scientists could only study the brain in small detailed sections. With See-Shell, however, scientists are able to see a bigger picture of the brain to better understand the relationship between multiple areas in the brain, all at an unprecedented speed. This technology allows us to see most of the cortex in action with unprecedented control and precision while stimulating certain parts of the brain, said Suhasa Kodandaramaiah, Ph.D., and co-author of the See-Shell study, which was published in Nature Communications.