Illuminating pathogen–host intimacy through optogenetics

Abstract

The birth and subsequent evolution of optogenetics has resulted in an unprecedented advancement in our understanding of the brain. Its outstanding success does usher wider applications; however, the tool remains still largely relegated to neuroscience. Here, we introduce selected aspects of optogenetics with potential applications in infection biology that will not only answer long-standing questions about intracellular pathogens (parasites, bacteria, viruses) but also broaden the dimension of current research in entwined models. In this essay, we illustrate how a judicious integration of optogenetics with routine methods can illuminate the host–pathogen interactions in a way that has not been feasible otherwise.

Light up the COVID-19

“…Photo-activated G protein-coupled receptors, receptor tyrosine kinases, G cyclic adenosine monophosphate (CaMP) 1-6, photoactivatable Ca 2+ releaser, are optogenetics toolboxes which serve as a light-oscillator of Ca 2+ that could be applicable to illustrate new perspective of Ca 2+ metabolism in antiviral therapy. [ 13 ]…”