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Related Concept Videos

Channel Rhodopsins01:11

Channel Rhodopsins

Most organisms use photoreceptors to sense and respond to light. Examples of photoreceptors include bacteriorhodopsins and bacteriophytochromes in some bacteria, phytochromes in plants, and rhodopsins in the photoreceptor cells of the vertebral retina. The light-sensitive property of these receptors is because of the bound chromophores, such as bilin in the phytochromes and retinal in the rhodopsins.
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings for Electrophysiological Determination of Ion Selectivity in Channelrhodopsins
08:39

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings for Electrophysiological Determination of Ion Selectivity in Channelrhodopsins

Published on: May 22, 2017

Optimizing the spatial resolution of Channelrhodopsin-2 activation.

Philipp Schoenenberger1, Asa Grunditz, Tobias Rose

  • 1Friedrich Miescher Institute, Maulbeerstrasse 66, WRO-1066.4.04, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.

Brain Cell Biology
|July 26, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Focal laser illumination improves spatial resolution for Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) neural stimulation. Optimal resolution below 30 micrometers was achieved by matching laser power to neuronal spike thresholds.

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Strategic Screening and Characterization of the Visual GPCR-mini-G Protein Signaling Complex for Successful Crystallization

Published on: March 16, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Optogenetics
  • Cellular Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) is a light-gated ion channel widely used in neuroscience for optogenetic stimulation.
  • Current wide-field illumination methods lack the spatial precision needed for stimulating individual neurons.
  • Precise control over neuronal activity is crucial for understanding neural circuits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of focal laser illumination for high-resolution mapping of photocurrents in individual neurons.
  • To determine the factors limiting spatial resolution during ChR2-mediated photocurrent induction.
  • To assess the feasibility of achieving subcellular resolution in neuronal stimulation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized focal laser illumination to stimulate sparsely transfected hippocampal slice cultures and dissociated hippocampal cells expressing ChR2.
  • Mapped photocurrents and triggered action potentials by adjusting laser power and intensity.
  • Compared spatial resolution achieved with different laser power levels and ChR2 expression densities.

Main Results:

  • Achieved a spatial resolution of less than 30 micrometers for photocurrent induction using focal laser illumination.
  • Optimal spatial resolution was observed at the lowest effective laser power.
  • Identified ChR2 current density, rather than light scattering, as the primary limitation to spatial resolution.

Conclusions:

  • Focal laser illumination enables precise, sub-30-micrometer spatial resolution for ChR2-mediated neuronal stimulation.
  • High ChR2 expression levels are necessary for achieving subcellular stimulation resolution.
  • Future ChR2 variants hold promise for advancing spatial resolution to single dendrite levels.