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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science

Seeing inside the brain

Exoskeleton of a fruit fly
The bleached exoskeleton of a fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, in preparation for imaging. Photograph: Leeanne McGurk/Medical Research Council and PLOS ONE
3d image of a fruitfly
A 3D image of a fruit fly generated using optical projection tomography. The images mean scientists no longer have to dissect the flies by hand to observe how genetic changes influence the loss of brain cells. Photograph: Leeanne McGurk/Medical Research Council and PLOS ONE
3d image of a fruit fly
A 3D image of a fruit fly generated using optical projection tomography. Scientists hope the technique will reveal information about neurodegenerative diseases in humans such as Alzheimer's. Photograph: Leeanne McGurk/Medical Research Council and PLOS ONE
Confocal image of the haed of a fruit fly
A light microscope (confocal) image of the head of a fruit fly after its skeleton has been bleached. The central nervous system can be visualised through the exoskeleton. Photograph: Medical Research Council and PLOS ONE
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