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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
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Laser-scanning Photostimulation of Optogenetically Targeted Forebrain Circuits
Published on: December 27, 2013
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Targeted expression of step-function opsins in transgenic rats for optogenetic studies
Hiroyuki Igarashi1,2, Keiko Ikeda3,4, Hiroshi Onimaru5
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate school of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. hirobio@med.tohoku.ac.jp.
Scientific Reports
|April 5, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed a new transgenic rat model for optogenetics. This system allows for precise control of neuronal activity in specific cell types using light, advancing neuroscience research in rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Rats are valuable animal models in neuroscience research.
- Limited transgenic rat strains hinder optogenetics applications.
- Cell-type specific targeting is crucial for optogenetic tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate a transgenic rat for cell-type specific optogenetic targeting.
- To enable conditional expression of a step-function channelrhodopsin.
- To facilitate in vivo manipulation of neuronal activity.
Main Methods:
- Generation of ROSA26/CAG-floxed STOP-ChRFR(C167A)-Venus BAC rats.
- Conditional expression of ChRFR(C167A) using Cre recombinase.
- Testing in primary cultured cortical neurons and bigenic Phox2B-Cre rats.
Main Results:
- Cre-positive neurons showed bi-stable excitability modulated by light.
- Optogenetic tool (ChRFR(C167A)) specifically expressed in Phox2B-Cre positive cells.
- Neurons in the rostral parafacial respiratory group (pFRG) showed light-sensitive firing.
Conclusions:
- The developed transgenic rat system enables conditional optogenetic manipulation.
- This actuator/reporter system facilitates studies in specific neuronal populations.
- Minimal light intensity can effectively control neuronal activity in vivo.
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