Connectome

Recent articles

Detailed image of neurons in the mouse visual cortex.

Inhibitory cells work in concert to orchestrate neuronal activity in mouse brain

A cubic millimeter of brain tissue, meticulously sectioned, stained and scrutinized over the past seven years, reveals in stunning detail the role of inhibitory interneurons in brain structure and function.

By Katie Moisse
9 April 2025 | 6 min read

It’s time to examine neural coding from the message’s point of view

In studying the brain, we almost always take the neuron’s perspective. But we can gain new insights by reorienting our frame of reference to that of the messages flowing over brain networks.

By Daniel Graham
1 April 2025 | 0 min watch
Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.

New connectomes fly beyond the brain

Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.

By Laura Dattaro
26 July 2024 | 7 min read
A dense reconstruction of layer 2/3 neurons of the mouse visual cortex containing 394 neurons and 3.2 million synapses.

To develop better nervous-system visualizations, we need to think BIG

With a full mouse connectome on the horizon, neuroscience needs to overcome its legacy of minimalism and embrace the contemporary challenge of representing whole-nervous-system connectivity.

By Tyler Sloan
8 July 2024 | 8 min read
Composite of images of fruit flies taking flight.

Seen and heard: The Transmitter’s top multimedia stories in 2023

Our audio, video and photo highlights from the past year help to transport readers into scientists’ lives and research, and the lives of their study participants.

By The Transmitter
29 December 2023 | 3 min read
Still from research video displaying wiring map of a fruit fly's brain.

Standout neuroscience news in 2023

Did you miss any of our favorite stories from the past year? Revisit them here.

By The Transmitter
27 December 2023 | 4 min read
Research image of neurons

Plugging invisible gaps in the synaptic connectome

Two new maps of the roundworm nervous system detail how neurons communicate with short proteins called neuropeptides outside synapses.

By Elissa Welle
6 December 2023 | 6 min read

Reading fly minds in a mini-IMAX theater

The setup, involving a custom fly-releasing “PEZ dispenser,” makes it possible to map out — neuron by neuron — how individual insects respond to an imaginary predator.

By Angie Voyles Askham, Rebecca Horne
13 November 2023 | 5 min watch

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of neural progenitor cells.

Documenting decades of autism prevalence; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 28 April.

By Jill Adams
29 April 2025 | 1 min read

‘Perturb and record’ optogenetics probe aims precision spotlight at brain structures

The tool provides a new way to characterize cells and study neuronal circuits.

By Claudia López Lloreda
29 April 2025 | 4 min read
Mock-up of the Neuropixels probe inserted into brain tissue.

Tracking single neurons in the human brain reveals new insight into language and other human-specific functions

Better technologies to stably monitor cell populations over long periods of time make it possible to study neural coding and dynamics in the human brain.

By Edward Chang, Jason Chung
28 April 2025 | 7 min read