MIT’s Ed Boyden delivered a mind-blowing look at the tools revolutionizing brain science. A pioneer in neurotechnology, Boyden explained how innovations like optogenetics and expansion microscopy are enabling scientists to map and manipulate the brain with unprecedented precision. His talk bridged science fiction and reality, showing how these breakthroughs could lead to new treatments for mental illness, neurodegenerative disorders, and more. Audiences left with a sense of awe at the complexity of the brain—and the promise of technologies now unlocking its secrets.