Scientists have hacked into the brains of flies

The experts used remote control to take over the movement of the insects after hacking neurons controlling the bodies of the flies and took command of a neuron that makes the fly spread its wings in a common mating gesture.

The new technique has been described as the "holy grail" of neurotechnology as it can encourage mating and could be used to treat diseases in the insects.

Jacob Robinson - one of the scientists behind the research at Rice University in Texas - said: "To study the brain or to treat neurological disorders, the scientific community is searching for tools that are both incredibly precise, but also minimally invasive.

"Remote control of select neural circuits with magnetic fields is somewhat of a holy grail for neurotechnologies.

"Our work takes an important step towards that goal because it increases the speed of remote magnetic control, making it closer to the natural speed of the brain."

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