I/UCRC: Characterization and Bioengineering of Optogenetic Rhodopsins

项目主任推荐生物光子传感器和系统中心（CBSS）提案# 1230851 Thomas Bifano该提案为位于波士顿大学的生物光子传感器和系统中心寻求资金。基础研究的资金申请由NSF批准的征求授权，NSF 11-570。本次招标邀请I/ ucrc提交支持行业定义基础研究的提案。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。光遗传学依赖于神经元膜中几种不同寻常的微生物视紫红质的表达，包括光激活神经的通道视紫红质（ChR）和光沉默神经的古视紫红质（AR3）。有必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，以绕过目前的限制。该项目将重点关注波士顿大学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波士顿大学、加州大学戴维斯分校、麻省理工学院、哈佛大学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的潜在变革性方法。本项目的成果包括：(1)ChR和AR3的改进版本，具有红移的可见吸光度，改善了动力学和电压响应；(2)记录了光遗传学研究工具和产品视觉的产品需求。I/UCRC的行业支持和对该研究计划的积极参与，通过为有才华的工程师和科学家提供进入行业的管道，提高了研究生教育经验。波士顿大学致力于开发STEM领域中代表性不足群体的学术潜力，将通过提供工业职业选择、非正式指导和与I/UCRC合作伙伴的实习机会，进一步加强这一承诺。

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.