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Optogenetics

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Nanotechnology and Neuroscience: Nano-electronic, Photonic and Mechanical Neuronal Interfacing

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Abstract

Optogenetics is the use of light and genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins to modulate the activity of specific cells. Here, we focus on the use of optogenetics in neuroscience, where it is used to rapidly activate or inhibit a specific population of neurons in the brain. The basic components required are (1) photosensitive molecules targeted to specific cells, (2) light delivery to the brain, and (3) electrophysiological or behavioral readouts for optogenetic manipulation of a system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Allison Quach, Nicholas James & Xue Han

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  1. Allison Quach
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  2. Nicholas James
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  3. Xue Han
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Correspondence to Xue Han .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dip. Ing. Innovazione - Università del Salento, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Arnesano, Lecce, Italy

    Massimo De Vittorio

  2. Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Arnesano, Lecce, Italy

    Luigi Martiradonna

  3. Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia,Trento, Italy and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    John Assad

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Quach, A., James, N., Han, X. (2014). Optogenetics. In: De Vittorio, M., Martiradonna, L., Assad, J. (eds) Nanotechnology and Neuroscience: Nano-electronic, Photonic and Mechanical Neuronal Interfacing. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8038-0_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8038-0_9

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