Optogenetic actuators & sensors have been designed to improve the control and probe of the brain at high-resolution. These devices are highly sensitive and can be used in vivo in a wide range of applications. They can control the activity of neurons in a living organism, monitor their activities, and detect changes in other organs. The use of these tools in the field of biomedical research is growing. For instance, in August 2021, a study published in the U.S. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) revealed that using wireless, non-battery optogenetic actuators & sensors can boost neuroscience research activities for potential clinical therapeutics.
The
Optogenetic Sensor is an implantable biosensor that can detect different
molecules in vivo. The new device is a modified cell-based optical biosensor.
It is designed to improve the sensitivity and detection time of the device, as
well as the standardization process. This device focuses on novel multimodal functional
electro-optical label-free assays and their role as key elements in the
standardization of optogenetic-based biosensors.
The
global optogenetics
actuators and sensors market is extremely fragmented, and the
top players have adopted a variety of techniques to expand their footprints.
As
biofunctional actuators, most optogenetic actuators are made up of ion channels
and pumps. Photosensory modules are made of light-sensitive protein moieties.
Several naturally occurring photoreceptor proteins have been engineered into
the biosensor. Examples include animal and
microbial rhodopsins, plant phytochromes, bacterial phototropins, and coral
photo-transformable fluorescent proteins.
Optogenetic actuators & sensors
are composed of several engineered proteins, such as ion channels, pumps, and
target molecules. The photosensory module of an optogenetic actuator is a
light-sensitive protein moiety. Several naturally occurring photoreceptor
proteins are used to build optogenetic actuators, including cryptochromes,
plant phytochromes, and coral photo-transformable fluorescent proteins. The biosensor module in an optogenetic sensor is
composed of a combination of the photoreceptor protein and an ion channel.
Optogenetic actuators & sensors
are a large collection of light-sensitive components that enable versatile
control of cellular functions and homeostasis with light. The goal of this
project is to develop an optogenetic toolbox for the use of biofunctional protein
modules. The Optogenetic Sensor is a useful tool to improve the efficiency and
precision of diagnostic procedures. In
addition to using a biofunctional sensor, optogenetic actuators will enable
researchers to use a wide range of other proteins.