Abstract
Optogenetic technology provides researchers with spatiotemporally precise tools for stimulation, sensing, and analysis of function in cells, tissues, and organs. These tools can offer low-energy and localized approaches due to the use of the transgenically expressed light gated cation channel Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). While the field began with many neurobiological accomplishments it has also evolved exceptionally well in animal cardiac research, both in vitro and in vivo. Implantable optical devices are being extensively developed to study particular electrophysiological phenomena with the precise control that optogenetics provides. In this review, we highlight recent advances in novel implantable optogenetic devices and their feasibility in cardiac research. Furthermore, we also emphasize the difficulties in translating this technology toward clinical applications and discuss potential solutions for successful clinical translation.
Highlights
Optogenetics is a technological approach that utilizes light to control and sense genetically modified neurons or proteins
Transparent interfaces for cardiac research have been developed as a promising tool in optical electrophysiology research (Chen et al, 2020)
Battery-free wireless devices can be fully implanted inside the body, and the control of light delivery for optogenetic control can occur outside the body
Summary
Optogenetics is a technological approach that utilizes light to control and sense genetically modified neurons or proteins. Though the roots of this technology extend back decades prior, the utility of this concept first broke ground in the field of neuroscience in 2002 when Zemelman et al developed a method for optically stimulating groups of rhodopsin-sensitized neurons (Zemelman et al, 2002). Electronic defibrillators are commonly adopted clinical tools for terminating life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, but they require depolarization of large areas of cells with high energies. They can result in non-selective excitation of nerves, muscle damage, discomfort, and even pain from irreversible electrochemical reactions (Joshi et al, 2020). We conclude with a discussion of the clinical limitations of these technologies, and we provide insights into future alternatives
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