Illuminating neural circuits and behaviour in caenorhabditis elegans with optogenetics

Christopher Fang-Yen, Mark J. Alkema, Aravinthan D.T. Samuel

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The development of optogenetics, a family of methods for using light to control neural activity via light-sensitive proteins, has provided a powerful new set of tools for neurobiology. These techniques have been particularly fruitful for dissecting neural circuits and behaviour in the compact and transparent roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. Researchers have used optogenetic reagents to manipulate numerous excitable cell types in the worm, from sensory neurons, to interneurons, to motor neurons and muscles. Here, we show how optogenetics applied to this transparent roundworm has contributed to our understanding of neural circuits.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20140212
JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Volume370
Issue number1677
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015 Sept 19

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Neural circuits
  • Optogenetics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)

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