The H.M. project - tears and bliss
I haven't touched a microtome since 11th grade advanced biology. We took tissue from our fetal pig, packed cork around it, and cut our slide sections with a razor blade. Wow, are they different now.
I'm watching H.M.'s brain being dissected live on the net via streaming video with the ucsd brain observatory microtome which is just a tad more advanced than a tube with a razor blade.
My coworkers don't quite understand why I am so excited and I can't really explain. The specimens are SO THIN - it's marvelous technology and we can all see this happen. We can see the brain structures appear as tissue is removed cell-thin-slice by slice. I've read about H.M. so many times through the years, I feel as if I know him. All these memories of high school biology and college psychology are converging in the now as I watch the researchers in California dissect this brain. I'm amazed and joyful and tearful. Wonder how many futures have been altered by the Webcast today?
I'm watching H.M.'s brain being dissected live on the net via streaming video with the ucsd brain observatory microtome which is just a tad more advanced than a tube with a razor blade.
My coworkers don't quite understand why I am so excited and I can't really explain. The specimens are SO THIN - it's marvelous technology and we can all see this happen. We can see the brain structures appear as tissue is removed cell-thin-slice by slice. I've read about H.M. so many times through the years, I feel as if I know him. All these memories of high school biology and college psychology are converging in the now as I watch the researchers in California dissect this brain. I'm amazed and joyful and tearful. Wonder how many futures have been altered by the Webcast today?
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