Control neurons with light
2007/06/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
From the world of neurosciences has come the echo of the word revolution. It is about to see if it is going to be a real revolution, but this news alerts the experts. In fact, researchers at Stanford University of California have released a protein that can be used to control neurons through light.
This protein was identified in the archaeologist Natronomonas pharaonis. It has been injected into the laboratory in mammalian neurons and has shown that with yellow light it paralyzes the activity of neurons. To this discovery we must add another one already made, since a protein of an algae was adversely affected, that is, it activated neurons with blue light in that hour.
The influence of both proteins was shown in a worm nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, which allowed to control the muscle contractions of the worm through the lights.
From this experiment there is a long way to go, but these researchers continue to work and, to achieve maximum diffusion, have distributed the protein to other experts to also investigate. These investigations could lead to simple and gentle methods of research and treatment of brain diseases.
Gai honi buruzko eduki gehiago
Elhuyarrek garatutako teknologia
