Non-Invasive Near-Infrared Optogenetics: Aspirational Dream or Approaching Feasibility

Diana Galiakhmetova*, Viktor Dremin, Aleksandr Koviarov, Dmitrii Stoliarov, Neville Ngum, Rheinallt Parri, Andrei Gorodetsky, Marios Maimaris, Daria M. Shcherbakova, Mikhail Baloban, Vladislav V. Verkhusha, Sergei Sokolovsky, Edik Rafailov

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

This research focuses on the development of a non-invasive/minimally invasive optogenetic technique. The study delves into how visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) light interacts with ex vivo mouse head tissues, highlighting the advantages of the NIR-II biological window for deeper tissue penetration and reduced light absorption and scattering. Our computer simulations and experimental results demonstrated that over 12% of initial light irradiation passes through 1 mm tissue (skin and skull), reaching the brain cortex, potentially enabling minimally invasive neural activation. Moreover, this work reveals the nonlinear optical properties of genetically engineered truncated monomeric and dimeric bacterial phytochromes, demonstrating their photoconversion efficiency of up to 73% in the NIR-II range and potential for optogenetics. This discovery opens new avenues in advanced neurostimulation and biomedical research by enhancing tissue penetration and minimizing invasiveness.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNeurophotonics II
EditorsTomas Cizmar, Tommaso Fellin
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781510673328
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jun 2024
EventNeurophotonics II 2024 - Strasbourg, France
Duration: 8 Apr 20249 Apr 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume13007
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceNeurophotonics II 2024
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityStrasbourg
Period8/04/249/04/24

Keywords

  • light-tissue interaction
  • monomeric phytochrome
  • optogenetics
  • penetration depth
  • second near-infrared window
  • two-photon absorption
  • two-photon fluorescence
  • ultrashort pulsed fiber laser

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