Week 7: Neuroscience + Art

As a psychology major, I am quite familiar with the work of scientists discussed by Professor Vesna. Psychology is also known as the study of human mind and its functions, but more specifically how it affects behavior. It is evident that psychology and neuroscience have overlapping topics, one of those topics is the brain as a whole. Franz Joseph Gall argued that by examining the shape of the head it would give the observer an idea of the individual traits, also termed as phrenology. For example, if the individual had a bump that pertained to the area of anger then they would exhibit hostile behavior (Whye). This idea later became discredited by research and science
What phrenology looked like and how the brain is divided into sections

While Ramón y Cajal the founder of neuroanatomy introduced the neuron theory and expanded on the functions of neurons. Cajal originally wanted to be an artist but only found fulfillment in science. Cajal referred neurons to be the mysterious butterflies of the soul and their wings are like the dendrites of the neuron, they relay synaptic information (Vesna). Cajal's research on the nerveous system and neurons marked an important finding in science. His finding that the nervous system is comprised of individual cellular elements instead of a continious branch, allowed future scientists to focus on the individual functions of neurons (Bentivoglio). Cajal's contribution to the science and art community was revolutionary and admired by many, well known as a combination of an artist and scientist.
Artistic depiction of neurons in the cerebellum by Cajal

Cajal's impact on the history of the nervous system did not go unnoticed. "Brainbow" was developed to help distinguish individual neurons from each other using fluorescent proteins by Jeff Lichtman and Josh Sanes. This method allows an abundant of mapped neurons to illuminate and in turn scientist are able to differentiate the millions of pathways. This method allows scientist to study neurons in live tissue, which was done on a zebrafish. They used the same method done on Alba the glowing rabbit. They took the fluorescent protein from jellyfish and inserted it into the host's genome. This form of genetic modification is a form of art in which they are using different colors to inspect neuronal activity. This is the beauty of combining art to expand our knowledge of science. 
Zebrafish injected with fluorescent proteins

References:
Afracturedreality. “Afracturedreality.” a Fractured Reality, 7 Mar. 2013, afracturedreality.tumblr.com/post/44787555890/brainbow-zebrafish.

Bentivoglio, Marina. “Life and Discoveries of Santiago Ramón y Cajal.” Nobelprize.org,
www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1906/cajal-article.html.

Harvard Brain Tour. “Brainbow.” Harvard University,
http://braintour.harvard.edu/archives/portfolio-items/brainbow. Accessed 20 May 2018.

“History of Neuroscience: Ramon y Cajal.” Neuroscientifically Challenged, www.neuroscientificallychallenged.com/blog/history-of-neuroscience-ramon-y-cajal.

“Standardized Testing: The New Phrenology?” Jim Ollhoff, 17 Feb. 2011, jimollhoff.com/education/standardized-testing-the-new-phrenology/.

Vesna, Victoria. “Neuroscience-pt1.” YouTube, uploaded by uconlineprogram, 17 May
2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=800&v=TzXjNbKDkYI.

Wyhe, John Van. “The History of Phrenology on the Web.” History of Phrenology on the Web, www.historyofphrenology.org.uk/.



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