Google & ISTA Discover New Method for Detailed Brain Mapping named LICONN - Here's What You Need to Know

Google Research and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) have introduced a new imaging method that could shift how scientists map the brain. LICONN stands for Light-microscopy-based Connectomics. The new method enables researchers to reconstruct detailed neural circuits using conventional light microscopes instead of high-cost electron microscopy.

The method works by physically expanding brain tissue samples while keeping their cellular structure intact. Combined with fluorescent labeling and computational analysis, the expansion enables imaging of neurons and their connections at nanoscale resolution. While electron microscopy has long been the standard for this level of detail, it is expensive, slow, and limited to small regions. LICONN presents a more scalable and affordable approach, opening the door for broader use across neuroscience labs.

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Initial tests of LICONN have focused on mouse brain samples, producing detailed 3D reconstructions of synaptic connections. The researchers say the method could help in studying neural development, function, and disorders at a larger scale than previously feasible.

The team behind LICONN has published datasets and tools to support further research, reflecting a push toward open, accessible neuroscience. The project also highlights a shift in brain mapping—making it faster, cheaper, and more widely available without sacrificing detail.