Introduction to Sonogenetics for Ultrasound Scientists

Ultrasound (US) can safely penetrate deep into biological tissues, which has allowed this modality to be extensively used in clinical applications including diagnostic imaging, thermal ablation, and lithotripsy. Recent identification of US-sensitive molecular actuators has led to the development of sonogenetics, a new and rapidly growing field. Here, these actuators are expressed in target cells, sensitizing these cells to the mechanical and/or thermal bioeffects of US, allowing them to be selectively manipulated using noninvasive US stimulation with high spatial and temporal precision. In this article, we will outline current sonogenetic approaches to manipulate both neurons and immune cells in vitro and in vivo, along with some practical considerations associated with designing these studies. Additionally, we highlight some exciting ongoing avenues for research and provide perspectives on the future of sonogenetics in the laboratory and the clinic. We suggest that by combining cell-type resolution with the noninvasive nature of US stimulation, sonogenetics has the potential to revolutionize both scientific research and clinical practice.