What property of ion channels is exploited inoptogenetics?

What property of ion channels is exploited in optogenetics?

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Expert Solution

Optogenetics exploits the concept of channelrhodopsin and similar proteins to explore the phenomena of vision in detail. Channel rhodopsin is absolutely unique and special in the world of biology because they are the only ones they are the only light-activated class of proteins which can be used to study various neuropsychiatric diseases.

What makes them unique?

Even though the channelrhodopsin protein is a 7-transmembrane structure (like that of GPCRs), they have a distinct ability to conduct particular ions in response to the colours of the light. How they have come to be of such utility, is still a mystery. This is the property that is mainly concerned with when it comes to optogenetics.

gladiator answered 1 year ago

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