Bioengineering of Channelrhodopsins for Neurophotonic and Nanophotonic Applications

一个重要的研究领域，扩大了生物光子学的范围和视野是最近发现的新形式的通道视紫红质（ChRs-一个家庭的蛋白质，作为光门控离子通道）。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、帕金森氏症和阿尔茨海默氏症。目前，光激活通道选择性的分子基础、光激活通道门控的机制以及通道动力学的控制等关键问题仍不清楚。为了回答这些问题和测试特定的假设，PI将利用先进的振动光谱和生物工程技术。这些包括低温和时间分辨FTIR差谱，共焦近红外拉曼和飞秒可见脉冲/红外探针光谱。该研究计划将涉及本科生，研究生和博士后学员。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往工业的管道。

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.