Rhythm and Blues: Fly's Heart Beats to the Pulse of a Blue Laser
Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 16:41
in Physics & Chemistry
It's called optogenetics and it refers to the use of light to regulate cells. In this case, NIBIB-funded researchers engineered fruit flies that carry light-sensitive proteins in their hearts. When hit by a blue laser, the proteins open channels that cause a flow of ions or charged particles that cause the heart to beat.