Source 1primary paper2011F1000 Biology Reports
Toolkit/microbial opsins
microbial opsins
Also known as: microbial opsin family, microbial opsins
Taxonomy: Mechanism Branch / Architecture. Workflows sit above the mechanism and technique branches rather than replacing them.
Summary
Microbial opsins are genetically encoded seven-transmembrane proteins from diverse microorganisms that render cells light responsive by transporting ions across cellular lipid membranes. In optogenetics, they are used as molecular sensitizers to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Usefulness & Problems
Why this is useful
These proteins enable temporally precise optical control of targeted cells within intact neural circuits by making selected neurons responsive to light. Source text also indicates that engineering has improved their light and wavelength sensitivity, supporting adaptation of optical control properties for different applications.
Source:
Microbial opsins are presented as optogenetic tools that let brief light pulses activate or silence neural activity. They serve as the molecular sensitizer component of the system.
Source:
light-responsive control of neural activity
Source:
activation or silencing of targeted neurons
Problem solved
Microbial opsins solve the problem of conferring direct light sensitivity to genetically specified cells, allowing activation or silencing of neural activity with brief light pulses. In translational settings, they are part of optogenetic therapy designs for visual restoration, where tool choice is identified as a key design element.
Source:
They make selected neurons specifically responsive to light, enabling temporally precise control in intact circuits.
Source:
rendering specific neurons responsive to light for temporally precise control
Published Workflows
Objective: Implement cardiac optogenetic experiments by selecting an appropriate opsin class, establishing expression in the target cardiac system, delivering light effectively, and measuring physiological or optical responses.
Why it works: The review links tool performance first to opsin biophysical properties, then to successful expression in the cardiac target, then to practical light delivery, and finally to physiological or optical readout. This ordering reflects that optical control requires both a suitable actuator and a feasible delivery-and-measurement setup.
light-gated transmembrane ion movementdepolarizationhyperpolarizationG-protein coupled intracellular signaling modulationopsin selectionviral transductionspark-cell couplingtransgenic expressionin vivo adenoviral deliverylaser illuminationLED illuminationelectrophysiological readoutoptical readout
Stages
- 1.Select optogenetic actuator class and spectral properties(library_design)
The abstract explicitly states that opsin biophysical properties determine whether stimulation or silencing will be reliable and precise, and that spectral shifts can improve penetration and combinatorial use.
Selection: Choose among depolarizing, hyperpolarizing, GPCR-signaling, and spectrally shifted optogenetic tools based on biophysical properties needed for reliable and precise stimulation or silencing.
- 2.Establish expression in the cardiac target(library_build)
The review states that expression of the chosen optogenetic tool is required before optical control can be attempted in cardiac cells or whole systems.
Selection: Introduce opsin-encoding genes by viral transduction or use spark-cell coupling at single-cell level; at system level use transgenic mice or in vivo adenoviral injection.
- 3.Deliver light to the preparation(functional_characterization)
Even with a suitable opsin and expression strategy, optical control depends on practical light delivery to the cardiac tissue.
Selection: Use laser or LED illumination with widespread or multipoint delivery appropriate to the preparation.
- 4.Measure physiological or optical responses(confirmatory_validation)
The abstract presents these readouts as the means to confirm and monitor the effects of cardiac optogenetic stimulation.
Selection: Assess responses using patch clamp, multi-unit microarray recordings, Langendorff heart electrical recordings, or optical reporters including small detecting molecules and genetically encoded sensors.
Objective: Achieve temporally precise control of electrical activity in targeted neurons within intact neural circuits.
Why it works: The review states that precise control requires combining a transient energy pulse that provides temporal precision with a molecular sensitizer expressed in specific neurons that confers selective responsiveness.
stimulus-responsive control of neuronal electrical activitygenetic sensitization of selected neurons to an external energy triggerlight-triggered modulationtemperature-triggered modulationtargeted expression of molecular sensitizers
Taxonomy & Function
Primary hierarchy
Mechanism Branch
Architecture: A composed arrangement of multiple parts that instantiates one or more mechanisms.
Mechanisms
light-gated ion transportmodulation of g-protein-coupled intracellular signalingoptical activation of neural activityoptical silencing of neural activityTechniques
Computational DesignTarget processes
signalingInput: Light
Implementation Constraints
Microbial opsins must be genetically expressed in the target cells and paired with light delivery to function. For optogenetic therapy design, the evidence identifies target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tool selection, and gene delivery systems as key elements. No cofactor requirements, vector formats, or construct architectures are specified in the supplied evidence.
The supplied evidence does not specify individual opsin variants, ion selectivity, kinetics, spectral ranges, or comparative performance across tools. It also does not detail delivery hardware, expression strategies, or constraints that limit particular opsins in specific experimental or clinical contexts.
Validation
Cell-freeBacteriaMammalianMouseHumanTherapeuticIndep. Replication
Supporting Sources
Source 2review2015Biological Psychiatry
Source 3review2022International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Source 4review2011Current Opinion in Neurobiology
Source 5review2019Frontiers in Physiology
Source 6review2011Pharmacological Reviews
Source 7primary paper2011Cell
Ranked Claims
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Spectrally shifted opsin variants can support enhanced tissue penetration, combinatorial stimulation of different cell subpopulations, and all-optical read-in and read-out studies.
In cardiac physiology, optogenetics has mainly used optically controlled depolarizing ion channels to control heart rate and for optogenetic defibrillation.
Cardiac optogenetic stimulation can be read out using patch clamp, multi-unit microarray recordings, Langendorff heart electrical recordings, and optical reporters including small detecting molecules or genetically encoded sensors.
Optogenetic techniques use genetically expressed light-gated microbial channels or pumps to modulate cellular excitability with millisecond precision.
ChR2-expressing cardiomyocytes show normal baseline and active excitable membrane and Ca2+ signaling properties and are sensitive even to approximately 1 ms light pulses.
light pulse sensitivity 1 ms
Expression of the chosen optogenetic tool in cardiac cells requires gene introduction by viral transduction or coupling via spark cells at the single-cell level, and transgenic expression or in vivo adenoviral delivery at system level.
Light delivery by laser or LED is relatively straightforward in vitro but is challenged in cardiac tissue by motion and light scattering.
Biophysical properties of microbial opsins determine their ability to evoke reliable and precise stimulation or silencing of electrophysiological activity.
Microbial opsins are presented as a core technical component underlying the optogenetic approach discussed in the review.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermosensitive TRP channel-based thermogenetic tools can drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
Thermogenetic tools, such as thermosensitive TRP channels, can be used to drive neural activity downstream of increases or decreases in temperature.
The reviewed remote-control tools differ in effect direction, onset and offset kinetics, spatial resolution, and invasiveness.
None of the reviewed neuronal remote-control tools is perfect, and each has advantages and disadvantages.
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
The reviewed tools use light, peptides, and small molecules to primarily activate ion channels and GPCRs, thereby activating or inhibiting neuronal firing.
Remote bidirectional manipulation of neuronal electrical and chemical signaling with high spatiotemporal precision is presented as an ideal approach for linking neural activity to behavior.
The microbial opsin family functions as optogenetic tools.
The microbial opsin family functions as optogenetic tools.
The microbial opsin family functions as optogenetic tools.
The microbial opsin family functions as optogenetic tools.
The microbial opsin family functions as optogenetic tools.
The microbial opsin family functions as optogenetic tools.
The microbial opsin family functions as optogenetic tools.
Approval Evidence
8 sources21 linked approval claimsfirst-pass slugs microbial-opsin-family, microbial-opsins
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins
Source:
We review the available opsins, including depolarizing and hyperpolarizing variants, as well as modulators of G-protein coupled intracellular signaling.
Source:
The title explicitly names 'Microbial Opsins' and frames optogenetics around them.
Source:
Mammalian cells and tissues can be sensitized to respond to light by a relatively simple and well-tolerated genetic modification using microbial opsins (light-gated ion channels and pumps).
Source:
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
Source:
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Source:
We focus primarily on ... microbial opsins (e.g., channelrhodopsin-2, halorhodopsin, Volvox carteri channelrhodopsin)
Source:
The Microbial Opsin Family of Optogenetic Tools
Source:
clinical translation statussupports
Multiple clinical trials of optogenetic therapy for visual restoration are ongoing.
Multiple clinical trials are currently ongoing, less than a decade after the first attempt at visual restoration using optogenetics.
Source:
design factor importancesupports
Optogenetic therapy design involves target retinal cell choice, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems as key elements.
This alternative gene therapy consists of multiple elements including the choice of target retinal cells, optogenetic tools, and gene delivery systems.
Source:
engineering improvementsupports
Engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins have improved optogenetic tool performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity.
the performance of optogenetic tools in terms of light and wavelength sensitivity have been improved by engineering microbial opsins and applying human opsins
Source:
genotype independencesupports
Optogenetic therapy is described as potentially valuable for late-stage retinal degeneration regardless of genotype.
Optogenetic therapy has great value in providing hope for visual restoration in late-stage retinal degeneration, regardless of the genotype.
Source:
optimization needsupports
Better post-treatment vision requires optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells.
To provide better post-treatment vision, the optimal choice of optogenetic tools and effective gene delivery to retinal cells is necessary.
Source:
therapeutic promisesupports
Optogenetic therapy is presented as a promising approach for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and visual restoration.
Optogenetics is a recent breakthrough in neuroscience, and one of the most promising applications is the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Source:
application summarysupports
In cardiac physiology, optogenetics has mainly used optically controlled depolarizing ion channels to control heart rate and for optogenetic defibrillation.
Source:
capability summarysupports
Optogenetic techniques use genetically expressed light-gated microbial channels or pumps to modulate cellular excitability with millisecond precision.
Source:
selection principlesupports
Biophysical properties of microbial opsins determine their ability to evoke reliable and precise stimulation or silencing of electrophysiological activity.
Source:
tool family relevancesupports
Microbial opsins are presented as a core technical component underlying the optogenetic approach discussed in the review.
Source:
capability summarysupports
Optogenetics enables optical interrogation and control of biological function with high specificity and high spatiotemporal resolution.
Optogenetics is an emerging technology for optical interrogation and control of biological function with high specificity and high spatiotemporal resolution.
Source:
comparative advantagesupports
Optogenetic perturbation offers distinct advantages over traditional pharmacological or electrical perturbation methods.
offering distinct advantages over traditional pharmacological or electrical means of perturbation
Source:
mechanism summarysupports
Mammalian cells and tissues can be sensitized to respond to light by genetic modification using microbial opsins.
Mammalian cells and tissues can be sensitized to respond to light by a relatively simple and well-tolerated genetic modification using microbial opsins (light-gated ion channels and pumps).
Source:
performance summarysupports
Microbial opsins can achieve fast and specific excitatory or inhibitory responses.
These can achieve fast and specific excitatory or inhibitory response
Source:
capability summarysupports
Microbial opsin-based optogenetic tools can activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Optogenetic tools, such as microbial opsins, can be used to activate or silence neural activity with brief pulses of light.
Source:
comparison summarysupports
The reviewed remote-control tools differ in effect direction, onset and offset kinetics, spatial resolution, and invasiveness.
Source:
limitation summarysupports
None of the reviewed neuronal remote-control tools is perfect, and each has advantages and disadvantages.
Source:
mechanismsupports
The molecules used as optogenetic tools are microbial opsins that react to light by transporting ions across lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
These molecules are microbial opsins, seven-transmembrane proteins adapted from organisms found throughout the world, which react to light by transporting ions across the lipid membranes of cells in which they are genetically expressed.
Source:
mechanism summarysupports
The reviewed tools use light, peptides, and small molecules to primarily activate ion channels and GPCRs, thereby activating or inhibiting neuronal firing.
Source:
review scope summarysupports
Remote bidirectional manipulation of neuronal electrical and chemical signaling with high spatiotemporal precision is presented as an ideal approach for linking neural activity to behavior.
Source:
Comparisons
Source-backed strengths
The evidence supports that microbial opsins can both activate and silence neural activity, providing bidirectional optical control. They are genetically encoded membrane proteins, and the literature excerpt states that engineering has improved performance in light sensitivity and wavelength sensitivity. Ongoing clinical trials for optogenetic visual restoration further indicate active translational interest in this tool class.
Source:
supports activation or silencing with brief pulses of light
Ranked Citations
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