Bioengineering of Channelrhodopsins for Neurophotonic and Nanophotonic Applications

扩大生物光子学范围和视野的一个重要研究领域是最近发现的新形式的通道视紫红质(CHRS--一种起光门离子通道作用的蛋白质家族)。CHRs在光遗传学中发挥了重要作用，最近从藻类中发现了新的通道视紫红质，扩大了这类独特的微生物视紫红质的潜在应用。光遗传学的应用包括恢复盲人的视力和揭示一系列大脑疾病的基础，包括中风、创伤性脑损伤、成瘾、焦虑症、耳聋、癫痫、帕金森和阿尔茨海默氏症。目前，阳离子和阴离子选择性的分子基础、光激活通道门控的机制和通道动力学的控制等关键问题仍然很大程度上是未知的。为了回答这些问题并测试特定的假设，PI将利用先进的振动光谱和生物工程技术。其中包括低温和时间分辨FTIR差分光谱、共焦近红外拉曼光谱和飞秒可见脉冲/红外探测光谱。该研究项目将涉及本科生、研究生和博士后实习生。这将为在生物光子学新领域接受培训的有才华的工程师和科学家提供一条通向行业的管道。

A vital area of research that expands the scope and horizons of biophotonics is the recent discovery of new forms of channelrhodopsins (ChRs-a family of proteins that function as light-gated ion channels). ChRs have played an important role in optogenetics and the recent discovery of new channelrhodopsins from algae, has expanded the potential applications of this unique class of microbial rhodopsins. Optogenetics applications include restoring vision to the blind and uncovering the basis of a host of brain disorders including strokes, traumatic brain injury, addiction, anxiety disorders, deafness, epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. At present key questions such as the molecular basis of the cation and anion selectivity, the mechanism of light-activated channel-gating and control of channel kinetics remain largely unknown. In order to answer these questions and test specific hypotheses, the PIs will utilize advanced vibrational spectroscopic and bioengineering techniques. These include low-temperature and time-resolved FTIR difference spectroscopy, confocal near-IR Raman and femtosecond visible-pulse/IR-probe spectroscopy. The research program will involve undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees. This will provide a pipeline to industry for talented engineers and scientists trained in the new field of biophotonics.