Fast targeted gene transfection and optogenetic modification of single neurons using femtosecond laser irradiation.

ABSTRACT: A prevailing problem in neuroscience is the fast and targeted delivery of DNA into selected neurons. The development of an appropriate methodology would enable the transfection of multiple genes into the same cell or different genes into different neighboring cells as well as rapid cell selective functionalization of neurons. Here, we show that optimized femtosecond optical transfection fulfills these requirements. We also demonstrate successful optical transfection of channelrhodopsin-2 in single selected neurons. We extend the functionality of this technique for wider uptake by neuroscientists by using fast three-dimensional laser beam steering enabling an image-guided "point-and-transfect" user-friendly transfection of selected cells. A sub-second transfection timescale per cell makes t

SUBMITTER: Antkowiak M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3836031 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature