Premium
Optimized Chronos sets the clock for optogenetic hearing restoration
Author(s) -
Ronzitti Emiliano,
Zampini Valeria,
Emiliani Valentina
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.15252/embj.2018101103
Subject(s) - optogenetics , library science , computer science , biology , neuroscience
The coming of age of optogenetics has motivated the development of clinical applications. Improved hearing restoration by optical cochlear implants is one such promising development. However, slow closing of light‐gated ion channels has remained an obstacle for achieving the high temporal fidelity required for optogenetic coding. In a study published in this issue, Keppeler et al demonstrate that optimized trafficking of the fast channelrhodopsin Chronos enables auditory nerve fibers to fire in response to light at near physiological rates.