Optogenetics: Method of the Year 2010, Strategy, Application and It's Future Directions Towards Clinical Application



Pourhossein M¹ ; Mirzapour H¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2013

Abstract

Understanding the function of different kinds of neurons in the brain has been a priority in basic and clinical neuroscience for ages. Optogenetics provides the ability to use light to inhibit or activate specific neuron types within neural networks. It enhances the ability of neuroscientists to understand how neurons contribute to brain functions both in health and disease. Optogenetics is a technology that allows fast control of precisely defined events in biological systems from cells of a cell culture to very complex systems in freely moving animals. Optogenetic approaches deliver precise and fast optical control and open new landscapes for the study of biological processes within neural networks in vivo and in vitro. Experiments on conscious animals usually insert an optical fiber connected to a remote laser into the brain or employ an implanted light-emitting diode (LED) connected to a remote power source. Recently, a fully wireless system has been designed to allow long-term experiments on moving animals. The present study reviewed available optogenetic approaches.