Establishment of a method for restoring vision using light-gated ion channels and the promotion of optogenetics

我们通过对来源于蛤蚌的通道蛋白基因进行改造，新开发了一个光门控阳离子通道基因。修饰的通道视紫红质具有覆盖可见光的灵敏度。应用改良的视紫红质通道可以使盲人恢复视功能。事实上，我们可以证明，通过转移这种基因，遗传性失明的老鼠的视觉功能可以恢复。

We have newly developed a light gated cation channel gene by the modification of channelrhodpsin gene derived from the clamydomonas. The modified channelrhodopsin has a sensitivity covered over a visible light. We could regain the visual function of blind patients by using the modified channelrhodopsin. Indeed, we could demonstrate the recovery of visual function in genetically blind rats by transucing the gene.