Researchers have discovered a noninvasive technique that utilizes bioluminescent optogenetics to stimulate certain areas of the brain.
At the University of Rochester, scientists have unveiled a noninvasive approach using BL-OG, which stands for bioluminescent optogenetics. This innovative method leverages light to activate brain neurons. The capacity to manage brain activity could significantly change invasive treatments like deep brain stimulation for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.
This new method stands out because it activates the brain without needing an implanted device that delivers physical light, according to Manuel Gomez-Ramirez, an assistant professor in brain and cognitive sciences and senior author of the study published in the journal NeuroImage.
Emily Murphy, the study’s first author and manager of the Haptics Lab directed by Gomez-Ramirez, comments, “BL-OG is an excellent technique for noninvasively exploring neural circuits in the brain. There remains much to learn about the structure and functions of different brain regions and neuron types, which will enhance our understanding of how healthy brains operate.”
Activating light without a traditional switch
To illuminate the brain, researchers require specific tools. The first is optogenetics, a well-established technique that uses light to stimulate or inhibit brain cells. The second tool is bioluminescence, the same chemical reaction that gives fireflies their light, which provides the illumination necessary for optogenetics to function.
By merging these tools, researchers create the components needed for BL-OG. However, BL-OG also requires a way to “activate” this light. When the organic compound luciferin is combined with bioluminescence, it generates light that stimulates the optogenetics, influencing cellular responses in the brain without the need for surgery. Previous research by Gomez-Ramirez has confirmed that luciferin is safe for the body.
The Haptics Lab team tested this combination by administering BL-OG to a specific brain area in mice. They then injected luciferin via a vein in the animal’s tail to activate the targeted brain cells. The findings revealed that the effects of BL-OG occur quickly, and researchers could control these effects by adjusting the luciferin dosage given to the animals.
‘Fine-tuning’ bioluminescent optogenetics
Gomez-Ramirez states, “The beauty of this technique is that we can induce brain activation without using a cable, reducing the risk of infections and complications commonly associated with invasive methods. For us to implement this technique in labs and possibly clinics, we must meticulously document all the essential parameters involved. These latest findings empower us to fine-tune the BL-OG effects based on specific needs and conditions.”
Additionally, researchers could monitor the neuromodulation effects of BL-OG through bioluminescent activity—another potential advantage of this method that may provide deeper insights into brain functionality.
This research was made possible with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
