8/16/2019 Optogenetics is a Tool to Selectively Control the Electrical Activity of Neurons Through Light Stimulation

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Optogenetics is a tool to selectively control the electrical activity of neurons

through light stimulation . This light mediated control was achieved by

delivery and expression of light-sensitive membrane ,opsin proteins to specic

cells. The signicance of optogenetics is its high precision in temporal and

spatial activation of neurons .Optogenetics applications in neuroscience has

rapidly expanding and the technology has potential to treat neurological

disorders. However, some problems are still remain with respect to the clinical

application of optogenetic technology. These challenges include developing

appropriate metods for delivering opsin genes , modications to create more

ecient light-sensitive proteins, and enhancing the specicity of targeting tools.

 This review will focus on the naturally occurring, lightsensitive opsin proteins and

their applications for clinical use. pecically, various methods for the safe and

e!ective delivery of opsin genes to target cells are examined. "y testing the

delivery, expression, and stimulation of opsin in di!erent organisms, selective

delivery, robust expression, and e!ective activation of opsin can be optimi#ed.

uch testing will naturally focus on primates because their physiologicalsimilarity with humans. $ith advancement of technology, the prospect of 

clinical translation of optogenetics has been not only limited to neurological

disorders but already expanded its hori#on in cardiology.

Optogenetics, Opsin gene, Optical stimulation,

high  precision in temporal and spatial activation of neurons that was not achievableby other methods