Optogenetics: Tools for Controlling Brain Cells with Light

作     者：Edward S. Boyden, III 

作者机构：McGovern Institute Media Lab Center for Neurobiological Engineering Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department of Biological Engineering and Koch Institute Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA 

出 版 物：《Molecular Frontiers Journal》 

年 卷 期：2019年第3卷第2期

页      面：129-137页

主　　题：Neuron Brain Opsin Optogenetics Neurotechnology Neuroengineering Neuroscience Bioelectricity Neural Circuits 

摘      要：The brain is made out of an incredible diversity of cells called neurons, which have different shapes, are made of different molecules, and that change in different ways in diseases. In optogenetics, microbial opsins, natural proteins that convert light into electrical signals, are genetically expressed in neurons. Then, light pulses can be used to turn neurons on, revealing how they trigger behaviors, disease states, or therapeutic effects, or to turn neurons off, revealing what functions or dysfunctions they are necessary for.