title: Mimicking subsecond neurotransmitter dynamics with femtosecond laser stimulated nanosystems.
abstract: Existing nanoscale chemical delivery systems target diseased cells over long, sustained periods of time, typically through one-time, destructive triggering. Future directions lie in the development of fast and robust techniques capable of reproducing the pulsatile chemical activity of living organisms, thereby allowing us to mimic biofunctionality. Here, we demonstrate that by applying programmed femtosecond laser pulses to robust, nanoscale liposome structures containing dopamine, we achieve sub-second, controlled release of dopamine--a key neurotransmitter of the central nervous system--thereby replicating its release profile in the brain. The fast delivery system provides a powerful new interface with neural circuits, and to the larger range of biological functions that operate on this short timescale.
authors: Neurobiology Research Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa 904-0495 Japan.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Nakano
authors: Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa 904-0495 Japan.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Chin
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: David Mo Aung
authors: DM
authors: Myint
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: Eng Wui
authors: EW
authors: Tan
authors: Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa 904-0495 Japan.
authors: Peter John
authors: PJ
authors: Hale
authors: Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa 904-0495 Japan.
authors: Bala Murali
authors: BM
authors: Krishna M
authors: Department of Anatomy and the Brain Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors: John N J
authors: JN
authors: Reynolds
authors: Neurobiology Research Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa 904-0495 Japan.
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Wickens
authors: Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Kunigami, Okinawa 904-0495 Japan.
authors: Keshav M
authors: KM
authors: Dani
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D004058:Diffusion / Q000528:radiation effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000737:chemistry*; D007834:Lasers; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D004298:Dopamine