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Optogenetic Tool Guides Brain Mapping

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A new optogenetics technique could help map neural networks in living organisms. Developed by a team at Caltech, the technique offers a clear view of the brain’s circuitry in action, from the moment a neuron fires to the resulting behavior in the whole organism. “Our overarching goal for this tool was to achieve sensing of neuronal activity with light rather than traditional electrophysiology,” said Dr. Viviana Gradinaru, an assistant professor of biology and biological engineering at Caltech. Archer1 fluorescence in a cultured rat hippocampal neuron....Read full article

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    Published: September 2014
    Glossary
    fluorescence
    Fluorescence is a type of luminescence, which is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. Specifically, fluorescence involves the absorption of light at one wavelength and the subsequent re-emission of light at a longer wavelength. The emitted light occurs almost instantaneously and ceases when the excitation light source is removed. Key characteristics of fluorescence include: Excitation and emission wavelengths: Fluorescent materials...
    optogenetics
    A discipline that combines optics and genetics to enable the use of light to stimulate and control cells in living tissue, typically neurons, which have been genetically modified to respond to light. Only the cells that have been modified to include light-sensitive proteins will be under control of the light. The ability to selectively target cells gives researchers precise control. Using light to control the excitation, inhibition and signaling pathways of specific cells or groups of...
    BiophotonicsCaltechfluorescenceImagingoptogeneticsResearch & TechnologyViviana GradinaruBioScan

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