This laser-cut wood jigsaw puzzle features a microscopic photograph of midbrain neurons. Scientists at the Schaffer Lab at UC Berkeley derived the neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. The ability to create nigral or midbrain neurons from stem cells may lead to new therapies to help people with neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.

6x9" (106 pieces)

About Nervous System puzzles:  Jigsaw puzzles for the 21st century! Each generative puzzle is a one of a kind creation with unique pieces. The goal was to marry the artistry of traditional, hand-crafted jigsaw puzzles with the possibilities of new technologies. Custom software simulates crystal growth to create an organic interlocking pattern. Laser cuts translate this into a unique set of plywood pieces. These blank, image-less puzzles are extra challenging to assemble and also highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

To create the organic shape of the pieces, a system was designed based the simulation of dendritic solidification, a crystal growth process similar to the formation of snowflakes that occurs in supercooled solutions of certain metallic alloys. By varying the parameter space, it can produce a variety of cut styles.