Brain Veins as Light Detectors: A New Path to Deep Brain Imaging Researchers developed a groundbreaking method to detect bioluminescence deep within the brain by engineering blood vessels to serve as light detectors. This innovative approach utilizes a bacterial protein that causes blood vessels to dilate in response to light. This dilation is then captured by MRI, allowing for precise localization of bioluminescent signals. This technique, named bioluminescence imaging using hemodynamics (BLUsH), offers a novel way to study brain functions and gene expression without the limitations imposed by traditional optical imaging methods. 1/3