Optimized Chronos sets the clock for optogenetic hearing restoration

The coming of age of optogenetics has motivated the development of clinical applications. Improved hearing restoration by optical cochlear implants is one such promising development. However, slow closing of light-gated ion channels has remained an obstacle for achieving the high temporal fidelity required for optogenetic coding. In a study published in this issue, Keppeler et al demonstrate that optimized trafficking of the fast channelrhodopsin Chronos enables auditory nerve fibers to fire in response to light at near physiological rates.
Source: EMBO Journal - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Neuroscience News [amp ] Views Source Type: research