ADVANCING NEUROSCIENCE THROUGH CHEMICAL TECHNIQUES IN OPTOGENETICS

Optogenetics is a technique that allows the control of neuronal activities using light. This can be expressed by different engineered enzymes and light-sensitive ion channels such as Channelrhodopsin (ChR) and Halorhodopsin (NpHR). Optogenetics has seen significant advancements from 2000 to 2024. This review article highlights the development of microbial opsins over the years, focusing on the most important ones, like Channelrhodopsin and Halorhodopsin, which led to the emergence of Optochemical genetics. Moreover, it analyzes the combination of optogenetics with chemical approaches rather than just relying solely on chemogenetic or optogenetic methods, which enhances the techniques capabilities and makes it more efficient. This combined approach, often called optochemical genetics, typically makes use of bioluminescence for its applications. This review also outlines the various types of luminopsins—combinations of light-sensing opsins and light-emitting proteins—and explores the applications of optochemical genetics.