I/UCRC: Characterization and Bioengineering of Optogenetic Rhodopsins

计划主任的建议中心生物光子传感器和系统（CBSS）的建议# 1230851托马斯Bifano该建议寻求资金中心生物光子传感器和系统位于波士顿大学。基础研究的资金申请由NSF批准的招标（NSF 11-570）授权。征集邀请I/UCRC提交支持行业定义的基础研究的提案。膜生物物理学、神经生理学和分子生物学的最新发展为光遗传学这一新领域的诞生提供了催化剂。光遗传学依赖于几种不寻常的微生物视紫红质在神经元膜中的表达，包括用于光激活神经的通道视紫红质（ChR）和用于光沉默神经的古视紫红质（AR 3）。需要了解这些蛋白质的分子机制，然后进行自下而上的生物工程来规避当前的限制。该项目将侧重于在波士顿大学（BU）和加州大学戴维斯分校开发的一套强大的光谱和生物分子工程技术的应用。该项目涉及与几个行业合作伙伴以及来自BU，UC Davis，MIT，哈佛和德克萨斯大学的光遗传学和视紫红质领先专家团队的密切合作。拟议项目的影响包括潜在的变革性方法来研究大脑功能，治疗大脑疾病和恢复视网膜退行性疾病的视力。该项目的可交付成果包括：（1）ChR和AR 3的改进版本，具有红移可见光吸光度，改进的动力学和改进的电压响应，以及（2）记录光遗传学研究工具和产品愿景的产品要求。I/UCRC的行业支持和积极参与这项研究计划，通过为有才华的工程师和科学家提供行业管道，增强了研究生教育经验。BU致力于发展STEM领域代表性不足的群体的学术潜力，将通过提供工业职业选择，非正式的指导和与I/UCRC合作伙伴的实习来进一步加强。

Program Director's Recommendation Center for Biophotonic Sensors and Systems (CBSS) Proposal # 1230851 Thomas Bifano This proposal seeks funding for the Center forBiophotonic Sensors and Systems located at Boston University. Funding Requests for Fundamental Research are authorized by an NSF approved solicitation, NSF 11-570. The solicitation invites I/UCRCs to submit proposals for support of industry-defined fundamental research. Recent developments in membrane biophysics, neurophysiology and molecular biology have provided the catalyst for the birth of a new field termed "optogenetics". Optogenetics relies on the expression of several unusual microbial rhodopsins in the neuronal membrane including channelrhodopsin (ChR) for light activating nerves and Archaerhodopsin (AR3) for light silencing nerves. There is a need to understand the molecular mechanisms of these proteins followed by bottoms-up bioengineering to circumvent current limitations. This project will focus on application of a set of powerful spectroscopic and biomolecular engineering techniques developed at Boston University (BU) and UC Davis. The project involves close collaboration with several industry partners and a team of leading experts in optogenetics and rhodopsins from BU, UC Davis, MIT, Harvard and the University of Texas. Impact of the proposed project includes potentially transformative approaches to study brain function, treatment for brain disorders and restoring vision for retinal degenerative diseases. The deliverables from this project are: (1) Improved versions of ChR and AR3 with red-shifted visible absorbance, improved dynamics and improved voltage response, and (2) Document product requirements for optogenetic research tools and product vision. The industry support of the I/UCRC and active participation in this research program enhances the graduate educational experience by providing a pipeline for talented engineers and scientist to industry. BU's commitment to develop the academic potential of underrepresented groups in STEM fields will be further enhanced by offering industrial career options, informal mentorships and internships with the I/UCRC partners.