Could Albert Einstein’s preserved brain hold secrets that modern science can finally unlock? Chinese researchers are investigating that possibility, using cutting-edge RNA-mapping technology to study decades-old biological samples, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
The technique, known as Stereo-seq V2, was recently developed by scientists from BGI-Research, the National Institute of Pathogen Biology in Beijing, and Tongji University in Shanghai. It has demonstrated potential in analyzing preserved cancer tissues, even those stored for nearly a decade under less-than-ideal conditions.
“If we are fortunate enough to analyze Einstein’s brain, we could give it a try,” said Li Yang, a research associate at BGI-Research and co-corresponding author of the study. “But the challenges are significant because the preservation techniques at that time may not have been very good. It is hard to say.”
After Einstein’s death in 1955, his brain was sectioned into 240 blocks and mounted on microscope slides. While previous studies of old tissue samples were often hampered by chemical damage from preservation methods, Stereo-seq V2 improves RNA-capturing efficiency, enabling high-resolution mapping of total RNAs even from degraded samples.
The researchers note that such techniques could have broader applications beyond historical curiosity. By analyzing old cancer samples with poor genetic integrity, scientists can identify tumor subtypes, immune responses, and areas of cell death—potentially advancing diagnostics and treatment development for rare diseases.
“Many rare diseases require a long time to accumulate samples,” Li said. “Previously, techniques were limited to fresh samples, which meant a significant amount of valuable information was lost. Now, we can effectively utilize precious samples preserved over the long term.”
Liao Sha, chief technology officer of STOmics and co-corresponding author, emphasized the importance of quality checks. “If the samples had degraded too much, we would not be able to analyze them effectively,” she said.
Hospitals have long preserved tissue in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks, which are easier to store and handle than fresh-frozen samples. However, FFPE preservation can damage DNA and RNA, limiting the usefulness of historical samples—limitations that Stereo-seq V2 seeks to overcome.
The research, published last month in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, suggests that advanced mapping techniques could one day make it possible to study Einstein’s brain, potentially shedding light on the cellular basis of genius.
For now, the team remains cautious but optimistic, noting that collaborative laboratory setups between hospitals or specialized labs like BGI could ensure that rare or historical samples are analyzed effectively, without risk of loss or degradation.
“Clinical samples are very precious,” Liao said. “By expanding the pool of analyzable samples, we can accelerate research into diseases and, perhaps one day, explore scientific mysteries like Einstein’s brain.”
