Injectable nanoparticles that convert sound waves, which can easily penetrate into the brain, into light, have been developed by Stanford researchers[1]. Optogenetics, a tool for controlling neurons with light, has given neuroscientists the ability to flip brain cells on and off more or less at will, revolutionizing neuroscience. Yet the technique faces a fundamental challenge:…
Tag: optogenetics
Nano Superballs Offer Refined Control Of Optogenetics
New nanoparticles and nanoclusters dubbed “superballs” offer more control to optogenetics. Optogenetics is a technique that uses light to control cells within living tissue. The biological technique controls cells in tissues genetically modified for light sensitivity. Drawbacks are that the light can activate several genes at once and that it must penetrate deeply to be…