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Optogenetics Comes of Age: Novel Inhibitory Light‐Gated Anionic Channels Allow Efficient Silencing of Neural Function
Author(s) -
PeralvárezMarín Alex,
Garriga Pere
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.201500608
Subject(s) - optogenetics , channelrhodopsin , neuroscience , ion channel , rhodopsin , neural activity , gene silencing , function (biology) , biology , nanotechnology , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , biochemistry , gene , retinal , receptor
Optogenetics, the developing field of research that uses light‐switchable biochemical tools in a sophisticated technological approach to monitor or control neural function, is rapidly evolving with the discovery and development of novel microbial rhodopsins. Light‐absorbing membrane proteins, as tools for brain research, are promoting new applications within the discipline of optogenetics. Light‐gated rhodopsin ion channels with better intrinsic light sensitivity and improved resolution are needed to overcome some of the current limitations of existing molecules. The recent discovery of light‐gated inhibitory anion channels opens new opportunities for studying physiological neural processes and, at the same time, represent a powerful approach for elucidating the mechanisms of neurological and mental disorders that could benefit from this approach.