Regensburg 2016 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 38: Neurosciences

BP 38.1: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 9, 2016, 09:30–10:00, H45

Optogenetics: Basics, Applications and Chances — •Ernst Bamberg — Max Planck Institute of Biophysics Frankfurt

Optogenetics: Basics, Applications and Chances Ernst Bamberg Max-Planck Institute of Biophysics Frankfurt Abstract Optogenetics is the use of genetically encoded light activated proteins for manipulation of cells in an almost noninvasive way by light. The most prominent example is Channelrhodopsin2(ChR2), which allows the activation of electrical excitable cells via the light dependent depolarization. The combination of ChR2 with hyperpolarizing light driven ion pumps as the Cl- pump halorhodopsin (NphR) enables the multimodal remote control of neural cells in culture, tissue and living animals. Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience and is applied by more than 1000 Neurobiology oriented groups. Very soon it became obvious that this method will offer also the chance for a gene therapy for some neurodegenerative diseases. The basics of optogenetics and some applications are presented. Possible biomedical applications with the focus on blindness are discussed as well.