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. 2022:2525:333-346.
doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2473-9_26.

Bioluminescence-Optogenetics: A Practical Guide

Matthew A Stern  1 , Henry Skelton  1 , Alejandra M Fernandez  1 , Claire-Anne N Gutekunst  1 , Ken Berglund  2 , Robert E Gross  1
Affiliations

Bioluminescence-Optogenetics: A Practical Guide

Matthew A Stern et al. Methods Mol Biol. 2022.

Abstract

Manipulation of neural activity in genetically predefined populations of neurons through genetic techniques is an essential tool in the field of neuroscience as well as a potential avenue in treating a vast assortment of neurological and psychiatric diseases. Here, we describe an emerging methodology of molecular neuromodulation termed bioluminescence-optogenetics (BL-OG) where BL is harnessed to activate bacterial light-driven channels and pumps expressed in neurons to control their activity. BL-OG is realized through opsin-luciferase fusion proteins called luminopsins (LMOs). In this chapter, we will provide a practical guide for applying BL-OG and LMOs in vitro using a cell line and primary cells in culture. In the following chapter, we will turn our focus towards BL-OG applications in ex vivo and in vivo rodent models of the nervous system.

Keywords: Bioluminescence (BL); Channelrhodopsin; Chemogenetics; Coelenterazine; Halorhodopsin; Luciferase; Luciferin; Luminopsins (LMOs); Optogenetics (OG); Step-function opsin (SFO).

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