Nongenetic Optical Methods for Measuring and Modulating Neuronal Response

Abstract

The ability to sensitively probe and modulate electrical signals at cellular length-scale is a key challenge in the field of electrophysiology. Electrical signals play an integral role in regulating cellular behavior and in controlling biological function. From cardiac arrhythmias to neurodegenerative disorder, maladaptive phenotypes in electrophysiology can result in serious and potentially deadly medical conditions. Understanding how to monitor and control this behavior in a precise and non-invasive fashion represents an important step in developing next-generation therapeutic devices. As we develop a deeper understanding of neural network formation, electrophysiology has the potential to offer fundamental insights into the inner working of the brain. In this perspective, we will first explore traditional methods for examining neural function, briefly touching on recent genetic advances in electrophysiology, before turning to latest innovations in optical sensing and stimulation of action potentials in neurons. We will primarily focus our exploration on nongenetic optical methods, as these provide a high spatiotemporal resolution and can be achieved in a minimally invasive fashion.

Extracellular Photovoltage Clamp Using Conducting Polymer‐Modified Organic Photocapacitors

“…The necessity of an implanted power supply and accompanying wiring represents a formidable obstacle, and has led many researchers to explore wireless technologies. Optical stimulation, leveraging highly mature and efficient solid‐state light emitting technologies, has been one of the most promising avenues 9–12. The tissue transparency window between 620–800 nm allows efficient and safe transmission of light through skin, tissue, and even bone 13.…”

High-Aspect-Ratio Semiconducting Polymer Pillars for 3D Cell Cultures

“…To the best of our knowledge, light-sensitive nanostructured devices recently reported in the literature are all based on inorganic semiconductors. 39−42 In this perspective, our work represents also the first necessary step toward the future realization of optically responsive polymer 3D structures for photomechanical, photochemical, and/or photoelectrical modulation of cell activity, proliferation, and differentiation.…”

Untangling Photofaradaic and Photocapacitive Effects in Organic Optoelectronic Stimulation Devices

“…The thermocapacitive mechanism can be far more local and controlled when nano or microscale semiconducting particles located near a given cell can lead to selective stimulation of cells (Carvalho- de-Souza et al, 2015;Jiang et al, 2019). The effect can be achieved using a wide range of semiconductors (Zimmerman and Tian, 2018). A disadvantage of the method, however, is the necessity for powerful light sources.…”