Most neuroscientists are familiar with the saying “cells that fire together wire together,” which is often used to summarize the Hebbian theory of synaptic plasticity—first put forth in Donald Hebb’s book The Organization of Behavior in 1949. The theory describes how coincident activity between pre- and post-synaptic cells can shape synaptic strength. Verified decades later, the theory has since become accepted within the neuroscientific community. However,...
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What if, instead of trying to zoom in on the nanoscale structures of the brain, we made them bigger? Dr. Edward Boyden and his team at MIT are doing just that. The process, known as expansion microscopy (ExM), physically enlarges brain tissue so that even extremely small molecular structures are viewable on a conventional light microscope. In his 2016 TED Talk, Dr. Boyden says: “Can we make...
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The heart has a “little brain.” It’s a network of neurons known as the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS), and it plays a key role in regulating cardiac activity. Building on previous research (Achanta et al., 2020), which resulted in a 3D map of the rat ICNS, a new study by a team of scientists from the University of Central Florida, Thomas Jefferson University, the University...
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I suspect many of you are thinking about what “reopening” laboratories and offices post-pandemic might look like. What things could (and should) be done remotely? How will we adjust to our old, and new, social norms? These are questions we’re wrestling with at MBF Bioscience. Here in Vermont, we remain optimistic about beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even while...
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The ability to efficiently acquire large experimental data sets of 2D, 3D and 4D images is advancing rapidly across science. Tools for effectively managing and analyzing this ’big data’ are something that nearly all researchers need. MBF Bioscience has and continues to address this big data need. Modern imaging devices can produce data sets sized in the TBs. For example, our cutting edge ClearScope light sheet...
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MBF Bioscience is now leveraging how neurons learn in order to improve neuroscience research using microscopy. By incorporating artificial neural networks into MBF Bioscience software, we’re equipping neuroscientists with tools that characterize neuronal populations with unprecedented accuracy and anatomic specificity through entire brain volumes. In the webinar titled, “Improved detection of c-fos labeled and pyramidal neurons using deep machine learning in NeuroInfo,” Dr. Gerfen, joined by...
Read More Williston, VT - In 2020, the National Institutes of Health awarded $71.6 million in grants and contracts to Vermont research institutions, supporting job creation and economic vitality in the Green Mountain State. The University of Vermont, the state’s largest employer, led the list of recipients, but right behind UVM is another, lesser known powerhouse in the biomedical research community—MBF Bioscience. An award-winning Vermont business, MBF Bioscience engineers...
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Our state-of-the-art software for performing unbiased stereology is getting an upgrade. Faster, stronger, and better, has been a theme for us lately, as we improve our products across the board, but one place where this is especially striking is in Stereo Investigator. Set for release this spring, the new and improved Stereo Investigator will include a new imaging engine, display engine, automatic camera alignment, automatic lens calibration, the double disector, and live video zooming. “I’m...
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MBF Bioscience is expanding our two photon and laser scanning technology capabilities by acquiring Vidrio Technologies. Vidrio and MBF share a deep passion for helping scientists reveal the fundamental structures and functions of the brain. Our teams are committed to serving the neuroscience community by providing innovative hardware and software tools to help researchers achieve their goals. We are driven to do our part to move...
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We suspect 2020 will always be remembered as the year of big, unexpected questions. Questions like, “How will we do our work together if we’re all working from our homes?" “When will we be able to move around freely again?” “How quickly will the economy bounce back post pandemic?” Questions like these have challenged each and every one of us to remain optimistic, curious, and mindful about what the...
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