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Bioluminescence as a functional tool for visualizing and controlling neuronal activity in vivo
Montserrat Porta-de-la-Riva1, Luis-Felipe Morales-Curiel1, Adriana Carolina Gonzalez1
1ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain.
Neurophotonics
|February 13, 2024
Summary
Bioluminescence reporters are experiencing a resurgence in neuroscience research, offering noninvasive, in vivo imaging without external light. Recent advancements enable new applications in functional optogenetics and sensing, with a focus on Caenorhabditis elegans.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bioluminescence, using light-emitting proteins called luciferases, has a long history in neuroscience research.
- Fluorescent reporters largely replaced bioluminescence, but recent technological advances have revitalized interest in bioluminescent probes.
- Key advantages include noninvasive, longitudinal in vivo observations without requiring an excitation light source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the recent renaissance of bioluminescent probes in neuroscience.
- To highlight novel applications enabled by advanced sensor-luciferases and functional bioluminescence optogenetics.
- To provide guidance for setting up bioluminescence experiments, particularly in Caenorhabditis elegans, and discuss future challenges.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent developments in imaging technology, bioengineering, and biochemistry for luciferase production.
- Analysis of sensor-luciferase applications for transcranial imaging of physiological parameters.
- Exploration of functional bioluminescence optogenetics, coupling light emission to photosensor activation.
Main Results:
- Development of luciferases with enhanced colors and intensity.
- Successful application of sensor-luciferases for imaging calcium, neurotransmitters, metabolites, forces, and membrane voltage.
- Demonstration of functional bioluminescence optogenetics for engineering synthetic neuronal connections.
Conclusions:
- Bioluminescence offers unique advantages for noninvasive, longitudinal in vivo neuroscience research.
- Advancements in sensor-luciferase technology and functional bioluminescence optogenetics are expanding research capabilities.
- Further development is needed to address challenges and enhance the competitiveness of bioluminescence compared to fluorescence.
