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Towards human clinical application of emerging optogenetics technology

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Abstract

Optogenetic technology has shown great promise as a tool to selectively control the electrical activity of neural circuits via optical stimulation. This control is enabled by genetic delivery and expression of light-sensitive proteins to specific cells. Optogenetics research in neuroscience has rapidly expanded and the technology shows the potential for clinical translation in treating neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease and stroke. However, challenges still remain with respect to the clinical application of optogenetic technology. These challenges include developing appropriate gene delivery methods, creating more efficient light-sensitive proteins, and enhancing the specificity of targeting tools. This review will focus on the naturally occurring, light-sensitive opsin proteins and their potential for clinical use. Specifically, various methods for the safe and effective delivery of opsin genes to target cells are examined. By testing the delivery, expression, and stimulation of opsin in different organisms, selective delivery, robust expression, and effective activation of opsin can be optimized. Such testing will naturally focus on primates due to physiological similarities with humans. With further progress, the prospect of clinical translation of optogenetic tools — even beyond neuromodulation with devices such as an optogenetic cardiac pacemaker — may be just around the corner.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 500-712, South Korea

    Geon Ui Kim

  2. Graduate-program of Medical System Engineering & School of Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology, 123 Cheomdan-gwagiro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 500-712, South Korea

    Hyoung-Ihl Kim & Euiheon Chung

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  1. Geon Ui Kim
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Correspondence to Euiheon Chung.

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Kim, G.U., Kim, HI. & Chung, E. Towards human clinical application of emerging optogenetics technology. Biomed. Eng. Lett. 1, 207–212 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13534-011-0039-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13534-011-0039-2

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