Physics of brain wrinkles copied in a jar

bbc ^ | Jonathan Webb

[BenLurkin]

Scientists have reproduced the wrinkled shape of a human brain using a simple gel model with two layers.

They made a solid replica of a foetal brain, still smooth and unfolded, and coated it with a second layer which expanded when dunked into a solvent.

That expansion produced a network of furrows that was remarkably similar to the pattern seen in a real human brain.

This suggests that brain folds are caused by physics: the outer part grows faster than the rest, and crumples.

Such straightforward, mechanical buckling is one of several proposed explanations for the distinctive twists and turns of the brain's outermost blanket of cells, called the "cortex".

Alternatively, researchers have suggested that biochemical signals might trigger expansion and contraction in particular parts of the sheet, or that the folds arise because of stronger connections between specific areas.

[Lazamataz]

Jar brains?

JAR HEADS???

MARINES!!!! HOOOAH!

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Abby Normal?

[Desron13]

"Scientists have reproduced the wrinkled shape of a human brain using a simple gel model with two layers."

Liberals?

[DannyTN]

In before the man with two brains pics.

[Talisker]

Cool post, thanks.