brain

A Microfluidic Approach to the Brain

by Noah Pflueger-Peters

The flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is critical to the brain. The brain has a limited energy reserve, so blood needs to bring oxygen and nutrients to neurons immediately upon activation, a phenomenon known as neurovascular coupling or functional hyperemia. CSF washes out metabolic waste generated by neurons while cushioning the brain and spinal cord from injury.

Randy O’Reilly: Using Computers to Model the Brain

By Noah Pflueger-Peters

As artificial intelligence improves and becomes more prominent, researchers try to make these machines more responsive, more receptive and, ultimately, more human. However, giving a machine that human touch requires understanding what that is in the first place. New computer science professor Randy O’Reilly plays a key role in this as a part programmer, part neuroscientist working to understand how the brain works through computer models.