A recent study from the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) investigates how polyester microdroplets, potential precursors to modern cells, could form under realistic early Earth conditions. Researchers pushed these conditions to the limits, demonstrating that these protocells can emerge from the polymerisation of alpha-hydroxy acids (αHAs) even at low concentrations/volumes and in salty environments. The findings indicate that polyester protocells were more prevalent than previously thought, potentially forming in environments on early Earth from rock pores to briny pools.

Overview

A research team led by Associate Professor Hiroto Sekiguchi and graduate student Gota Shinohara from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering at Toyohashi University of Technology, in collaboration with Professor Takuya Sasaki and Project Researcher Tasuku Kayama from Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, has successfully developed a hybrid neural probe that integrates MicroLEDs with neural electrodes. This innovative device enables precise control of neural activity and simultaneous multi-site recording within deep biological tissues.

In recent years, optogenetic techniques (Note 1) have enabled the control of neural activity by applying light externally to the organism. However, conventional optical fiber-based methods are limited to controlling single groups of neurons and face challenges in independently manipulating multiple neural regions with precision. Furthermore, the use of light stimulation alone is insufficient to fully elucidate the complex mechanisms underlying neural network information processing and signal propagation. As a result, there is a strong demand for technologies that integrate light stimulation with high-resolution recording of neural activity.

To address these challenges, our research team developed a novel hybrid neuroscience probe by integrating multi-point MicroLEDs with neural electrodes using a proprietary bonding technique. This hybrid probe enables simultaneous light stimulation and neural activity recording. Using this device, we successfully observed neural responses induced by light stimulation in the mouse brain with high spatial and temporal resolution. These findings mark a significant step forward in understanding neural network dynamics and offer new opportunities for developing treatments for neurological disorders as well as advancing neuroscience research.

The results of this study were published online in Applied Physics Express on 2, 10, 2025.