Light-activated cation channel and uses thereof
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsKarl Deisseroth, Edward Stuart Boyden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides compositions and methods for light-activated cation channel proteins and their uses within cell membranes and subcellular regions. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-activated cation channels to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides millisecond-timescale temporal control of cation channels using moderate light intensities in cells, cell lines, transgenic animals, and humans. The invention provides for optically generating electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells useful for driving neuronal networks, drug screening, and therapy.
Claims18
A method of modulating the activity of a mammalian neuron, the method comprising:
- a) genetically modifying the mammalian neuron with a viral vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light-activated cation channel polypeptide, wherein said light activated cation channel polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having about 95% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:
- 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a neuron-specific promoter;
- and b) exposing the genetically modified mammalian neuron to light, wherein said exposing results in depolarization of the neuron.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.