The OptoGenBox - a device for long-term optogenetics in<i>C. elegans</i>

Busack, Inka; Jordan, Florian; Sapir, Peleg; Bringmann, Henrik

doi:10.1101/2020.01.13.903948

Cited by 3 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Although most optogenetic experiments only take a few milliseconds, or a minute at its maximum [ 84 ], we also assessed the stability of the system in terms of intensity over several minutes (Fig. 3 F).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, within low-cost systems, the light source often has to be placed in very close proximity (< 2 cm) to the worms, which makes such systems unsuitable for long-term stimulation due to potential heat generation and phototoxicity [ 71 , 72 , 74 ]. Some systems, such as the OptoGenBox [ 84 ], are exempt from these issues, but they are also more expensive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An economical and highly adaptable optogenetics system for individual and population-level manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans

2021

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Background Optogenetics allows the experimental manipulation of excitable cells by a light stimulus without the need for technically challenging and invasive procedures. The high degree of spatial, temporal, and intensity control that can be achieved with a light stimulus, combined with cell type-specific expression of light-sensitive ion channels, enables highly specific and precise stimulation of excitable cells. Optogenetic tools have therefore revolutionized the study of neuronal circuits in a number of models, including Caenorhabditis elegans. Despite the existence of several optogenetic systems that allow spatial and temporal photoactivation of light-sensitive actuators in C. elegans, their high costs and low flexibility have limited wide access to optogenetics. Here, we developed an inexpensive, easy-to-build, modular, and adjustable optogenetics device for use on different microscopes and worm trackers, which we called the OptoArm. Results The OptoArm allows for single- and multiple-worm illumination and is adaptable in terms of light intensity, lighting profiles, and light color. We demonstrate OptoArm’s power in a population-based multi-parameter study on the contributions of motor circuit cells to age-related motility decline. We found that individual components of the neuromuscular system display different rates of age-dependent deterioration. The functional decline of cholinergic neurons mirrors motor decline, while GABAergic neurons and muscle cells are relatively age-resilient, suggesting that rate-limiting cells exist and determine neuronal circuit ageing. Conclusion We have assembled an economical, reliable, and highly adaptable optogenetics system which can be deployed to address diverse biological questions. We provide a detailed description of the construction as well as technical and biological validation of our set-up. Importantly, use of the OptoArm is not limited to C. elegans and may benefit studies in multiple model organisms, making optogenetics more accessible to the broader research community.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An economical and highly adaptable optogenetics system for individual and population-level manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans

2021

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“…Therefore, the OptoArm provides a way to illuminate and record worms simultaneously. Nevertheless, there are also some disadvantages when comparing the OptoArm with more expensive optogenetic systems (Leifer et al, 2011; Stirman et al, 2010; 2011; Weissenberger et al, 2011; Husson et al, 2012b; Qiu et al, 2015; Rabinowitch et al, 2016a;;Gengyo-Ando et al, 2017; Busack et al, 2020). First of all, the OptoArm does not allow to follow single worms in space with both temporal and chromatic precision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although most optogenetic experiments only take a few milliseconds, or a minute at its maximum (Busack et al, 2020), we also assessed the stability of the system in terms of intensity over several minutes ( Figure 3F). With the same working-distance of 5 cm, we assessed the maximum intensity at 0, 5, 10 and 20 minutes after turning the LED on.…”

Section: Lighting Area and Intensity Is Stable And Can Be Adjusted Tomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, within low-cost systems the light-source often has to be placed in very close proximity (<2 cm) to the worms, which makes such systems not suitable for long-term stimulation due to potential heat generation and phototoxicity (Kawazoe et al, 2013; Rabinowitch et al, 2016b; Crawford et al, 2019). Some systems, such as the OptoGenBox (Busack et al, 2020), are exempt from these issues, but they are also more expensive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optogenetic manipulation of individual or whole populationCaenorhabditis elegansworms with an under hundred-dollar tool: the OptoArm

Koopman

Janssen

Nollen

2021

Preprint

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Optogenetic tools have revolutionized the study of neuronal circuits in Caenorhabditis elegans. The expression of light-sensitive ion channels or pumps under specific promotors allows researchers to modify the behavior of excitable cells. Several optogenetic systems have been developed to spatially and temporally photoactivate light-sensitive actuators in C. elegans. Nevertheless, their high costs and low flexibility have limited wide access to optogenetics. Here, we developed an inexpensive, easy-to-build, and adjustable optogenetics device for use on different microscopes and worm trackers, called the OptoArm. The OptoArm allows for single- and multiple-worm illumination and is adaptable in terms of light intensity, lighting profiles and light-color. We demonstrate the OptoArm’s power in a population-based study on contributions of motor circuit cells to age-related motility decline. We find that functional decline of cholinergic neurons mirrors motor decline, while GABAergic neurons and muscle cells are relatively age-resilient, suggesting that rate-limiting cells exist and determine neuronal circuit aging.

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Optogenetic rejuvenation of mitochondrial membrane potential extendsC. eleganslifespan

Berry¹,

Vodičková

Müller-Eigner

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Despite longstanding scientific interest in the centrality of mitochondria to biological aging, directly controlling mitochondrial function to test causality has eluded researchers. We show that specifically boosting mitochondrial membrane potential through a light-activated proton pump reversed age-associated phenotypes and extended C. elegans lifespan. We show that harnessing the energy of light to experimentally increase mitochondrial membrane potential during adulthood alone is sufficient to slow the rate of aging.

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The OptoGenBox - a device for long-term optogenetics inC. elegans

Abstract: Göttingen. Since 2018 he is a full Professor at the University of Marburg.sleep deprivation reduced survival. Thus, OptoGenBox presents an affordable system to study the long-term consequences of optogenetic manipulations of key biological processes in small animals.

Cited by 3 publications

References 39 publications

An economical and highly adaptable optogenetics system for individual and population-level manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans

An economical and highly adaptable optogenetics system for individual and population-level manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans

Optogenetic manipulation of individual or whole populationCaenorhabditis elegansworms with an under hundred-dollar tool: the OptoArm

Optogenetic rejuvenation of mitochondrial membrane potential extendsC. eleganslifespan

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