Versatility of optogenetics brain-research technique vastly expanded
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 23:49
in Biology & Nature
Recently, brain researchers have gained a powerful new way to troubleshoot neural circuits associated with depression, Parkinson's disease and other conditions in small animals such as rats. They use an optogenetics technology that precisely turns select brain cells on or off with flashes of light. Although useful, the optogenetics tool set has been limited. Researchers have now developed major advances that will enable a much wider range of experiments in larger animals.