Name: A mouse. A laser beam. A manipulated memory.
Uploaded: 2013-08-15T15:02:24Z
Duration: 15 min 11 s
Description: Can we edit the content of our memories? It's a sci-fi-tinged question that Steve Ramirez and Xu Liu are asking in their lab at MIT. Essentially, the pair shoot a laser beam into the brain of a living mouse to activate and manipulate its memory. In this unexpectedly amusing talk they share not only how, but -- more important -- why they do this.

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Can we edit the content of our memories? It's a sci-fi-tinged question that Steve Ramirez and Xu Liu are asking in their lab at MIT. Essentially, the pair shoot a laser beam into the brain of a living mouse to activate and manipulate its memory. In this unexpectedly amusing talk they share not only how, but -- more important -- why they do this.

Steve Ramirez and Xu Liu: A mouse. A laser beam. A manipulated memory.

A mouse. A laser beam. A manipulated memory.

Exploring the frontier of memory manipulation, scientists trigger and alter memories in mice using laser beams and optogenetics.

By reactivating and editing memories in mice, researchers ponder the ethical implications of future memory control in humans.

Innovative experiments suggest a future where editing memories could treat PTSD, but raise questions on the essence of identity.