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Neuron expresses light-gated cation channel
Optogenetics is a revolutionary new research technique that enables scientists to use light to precisely control the activity of neurons in the brain. In optogenetics, light-sensitive ion channels and pumps, known as microbial opsins, are genetically targeted to specific cells, so that upon light delivery, just those cells will be electrically activated or silenced. In this image, a neuron is expressing the light-gated cation channel channelrhodopsin-2 (small green shapes), and is being illuminated by a focused beam of blue light (coming from the top). The opsins will open, depolarizing or electrically activating the cell.
This research was supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award (CBET 1053233), and by NSF grants EFRI 0835878, DMS 0848804 (a Small Grant for Exploratory Research) and DMS 1042134, which funded the development of optogenetics tools and their applications.
To learn more about this research, see the NSF Discovery story Critical tool for brain research derived from 'pond scum or New Technique Opens Window Into Brain Research.
Credit: Ed Boyden and Massachusetts Institute of Technology McGovern Institute
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