New technologies: a novel realm of possibilities

Technology and knowledge of the world are closely linked. Robert Hook could not have discovered the existence of cells without a microscope, and even now, microscopy is an essential tool in biological research. Its development combined with other technologies allows us to observe the living world, from the scale of the core of the cell (nucleus and proteins) to that of organs. For instance, the observation of brain neural connections in 3D is made possible by tissue clearing, a technique that renders tissues transparent.

This synergy of technologies (imaging, modelling, artificial intelligence) allows scientists to discover biological processes that were previously poorly understood or even unknown, but also to make advances in therapeutic research. For nearly ten years, organoids, in vitro reproductions of miniature organs, have been in use in laboratories. Organoids are derived from stem cells, and enable us to understand how these organs function or to test medication. This therapeutic field also leads to symbiosis between the living and the artificial: the understanding of neural control now facilitates the development of even more sophisticated artificial prostheses.

Discover in pictures all these technological innovations developed in the laboratory.

Key words: technological innovation, new technologies, scientific imaging, digital modelling, artificial intelligence, robotics, biological engineering