title: Channelrhodopsin-2 and optical control of excitable cells.
abstract: Electrically excitable cells are important in the normal functioning and in the pathophysiology of many biological processes. These cells are typically embedded in dense, heterogeneous tissues, rendering them difficult to target selectively with conventional electrical stimulation methods. The algal protein Channelrhodopsin-2 offers a new and promising solution by permitting minimally invasive, genetically targeted and temporally precise photostimulation. Here we explore technological issues relevant to the temporal precision, spatial targeting and physiological implementation of ChR2, in the context of other photostimulation approaches to optical control of excitable cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Clark Center, Stanford University, 318 Campus Drive West, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Edward S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Boyden
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deisseroth
mesh_terms: D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D056890:Eukaryota; D008027:Light; D010777:Photochemistry; D025603:Sensory Rhodopsins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D020418:Algal Proteins; D025603:Sensory Rhodopsins