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

    36 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

    • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
    • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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