Challenges for Therapeutic Applications of Opsin-Based Optogenetic Tools in Humans.

ABSTRACT: As the technological hurdles are overcome and optogenetic techniques advance to have more control over neurons, therapies based on these approaches will begin to emerge in the clinic. Here, we consider the technical challenges surrounding the transition of this breakthrough technology from an investigative tool to a true therapeutic avenue. The emerging strategies and remaining tasks surrounding genetically encoded molecules which respond to light as well as the vehicles required to deliver them are discussed.The use of optogenetics in humans would represent a completely new paradigm in medicine and would be associated with unprecedented technical considerations. To be applied for stimulation of neurons in humans, an ideal optogenetic tool would need to be non-immunogenic, highly sensitive

SUBMITTER: Shen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7373823 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature