Wireless activation of neurons in brain slices using nanostructured semiconductor photoelectrodes.
Light rather than electrical current: The inner or outer surfaces of glass micropipettes can be coated with nanoparticles of a narrow-band-gap semiconductor. When visible or near-infrared light is used for excitation, these micropipettes (labeled PE Stim in the image) can activate nearby neurons (labeled *) in brain tissue without the damage associated with electrical stimulation.
Zhao
Yixin
Y
Center for Chemical Dynamics and Nanomaterials Research, Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Larimer
Philip
P
Pressler
Richard T
RT
Strowbridge
Ben W
BW
Burda
Clemens
C
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004566:Electrodes; D007259:Infrared Rays; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012666:Semiconductors
D018036:Selenium Compounds; C088065:lead selenide; D007854:Lead