New spatial profiling approach maps out discoveries for future brain research – Sanghani Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

(From left) Chang Lu, the Fred W. Bull Professor of Chemical Engineering; Daphne Yao, professor of computer science; and Xiaoting Jia, associate professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Photo by Peter Means for Virginia Tech.

An estimated one in six people suffer from a brain disorder worldwide, according to the American Brain Foundation. Current research has provided some insight into cell-communication inside the brain, but there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding how this crucial organ functions. What if there was a comprehensive map that took into consideration not just the biology of the brain, but the specific location where the biology occurs?

Researchers in the College of Engineering have developed a powerful, cost-effective method to do just that.

Chang Lu, the Fred W. Bull Professor of Chemical Engineering, has been leading a research project that could be groundbreaking for brain research. The newly published article in the journal Cell Reports Methods features interdisciplinary research along with faculty in two additional departments within the College of Engineering:

Xiaoting Jia, associate professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Daphne Yao, professor in computer science and affiliate faculty at the Sanghani Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

Their goal? Mapping and visualization of the brain biology at genome scale in the most cost-effective way possible to improve healthy functioning.

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