What Is Optogenetics?

Optogenetics is a type of cell that is selected and opened by researchers using a new light control method. This also helps scientists to solve a long-standing problem, that is, research on the special functions of certain types of neurons in the spinal cord. Optogenetics-combining genetic engineering and light to manipulate the activity of individual nerve cells, discovering how the brain produces gamma oscillations, and provide new evidence for their role in regulating brain function, which will Helps develop new treatments for a range of brain-related disorders.

Optogenetics

Light affects mouse brain

Use these optogenetic tools to be able to directly demonstrate

The new technology used in optogenetics research can be extended to all types of nerve cells, such as the brain's olfactory, visual, tactile, and auditory cells. Optogenetics has opened up a new and exciting field of research, where one type of cell can be selected and its function discovered.

Optogenetics-the most remarkable innovation in the field of neuroscience in the 21st century!

Optogenetics (optogenetics) is a rapidly developing bioengineering technology that integrates optics, software control, gene manipulation technology, electrophysiology and other disciplines in recent years. The main principle is to first use gene manipulation technology to transfer light-sensing genes (such as ChR2, eBR, NaHR3.0, Arch or OptoXR, etc.) to specific types of cells in the nervous system for special

Recently, researchers from Columbia University published an article in the journal Hippocampus claiming that optogenetics can restore the memory of mice with Alzheimer's disease. This discovery may change our understanding of the disease.

First, the authors modified the mice by optogenetics so that they emit yellow fluorescence when they store memory, and red fluorescence when they regain memory. Then, the authors gave the genetically modified wild-type mice and Alzheimer's disease mice a lemon-scented stimulus, and then applied electrical stimulation to associate the two memories. One week later, the authors gave these mice a lemon-like stimulus again. The results show that wild-type mice can show yellow and red fluorescence at the same time, and show a fear, which indicates that they also recall the memory while forming the memory. However, the areas in which the brains of Alzheimer's mice glow are significantly different, suggesting that their brains were disordered during the process of regaining memory.

Later, the researchers used a beam of blue light to stimulate the mouse's brain, which could reactivate the mouse's memory of lemon odor and electrical stimulation, so that the mouse appeared shivering when it smelled the smell again.

This result may open up new horizons for the research and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and also provide new hope for patients suffering from the disease.

Ralph Martins from Edith Cowan University in Australia believes that the research has the potential to develop new therapies to restore memory in patients with Alzheimer's. However, the key issue is that the conclusions drawn from mouse model studies can be successfully applied to the clinic. In particular, humans lose many neurons during the disease compared to mice, so it is difficult to accurately target damaged nerves related to a certain type of memory. ^[2]