Light Switch for Brain Signalling Pathways

Karl Deisseroth and colleagues devised a versatile family of genetically encoded optical tools (optoXRs) that can control the activity of G-protein-coupled receptor signalling pathways, a diverse family of signalling pathways that responds to certain hormones, neurotransmitters, pheromones and other chemicals. The response is fast and, in turn, influences neuronal activity.

The team has demonstrated proof of principle in live mice where they used light to activate the molecules and stimulate specific neurons in a particular part of the brain linked to reward, driving a conditioned behavioural response for place preference.

CONTACT

Karl Deisseroth (Stanford University, CA, USA)
E-mail: deissero@stanford.edu

Abstract available online.

(C) Nature press release.

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