The cloning and subsequent bioengineering of light-driven channels (e.g., channelrhodopsins) or pumps (e.g.,
halorhodopsin and archaerhodopsins) has opened a new avenue in the field of optogenetics. Optogenetics is a powerful method in neuroscience because these opsins can be expressed in specific subsets of neurons by genetic manipulation, allowing dynamic modulation of the discharge of these cells by light. In animal experiments, the effectiveness of brain manipulation is ultimately assessed by an animal’s behavior. Because most rodent behavioral experiments assume free movement of the animals, a light delivery method that does not compromise their movement is desired. We produced a miniaturized, multicode, multiband, and programmable light-emitting diode (LED) stimulator for wireless control of optogenetic experiments. The LED stimulator is capable of driving three independent LEDs upon reception of an infrared (IR) signal generated by a custom-made IR transmitter. The IR signals were modulated at multiple carrier frequencies to establish multiband IR transmission. Using these devices, we could remotely control the moving direction of a Thy1-ChR2-YFP transgenic mouse by transcranially illuminating the corresponding hemisphere of the primary motor cortex. The photopulses (frequency, 10 Hz; duration, 50 ms; interval, 2 s) presented to the right and left motor cortex changed the moving direction of a freely moving Thy1-ChR2-YFP mouse the left and right, respectively.
See my published paper,
neurophotonics.spiedigitallibrary.org/article.aspx?articleid=1877511
