45 results about "Opsin" patented technology

Provided herein are compositions comprising lanthanide-doped nanoparticles which upconvert electromagnetic radiation from infrared or near infrared wavelengths into the visible light spectrum. Also provided herein are methods activating light-responsive opsin proteins expressed on plasma membranes of neurons and selectively altering the membrane polarization state of the neurons using the light delivered by the lanthanide-doped nanoparticles.

Provided herein are compositions and methods for disrupting at least one reward-related behavior in an individual through the use of light-responsive opsin proteins used to control the polarization state of the cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens or the striatum.

Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinal derivatives as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.

The present disclosure provides a method of inducing or modulating reward- or aversive-related behaviors in animals using light-responsive opsins. The present disclosure provides methods of identifying or screening compounds that may be used to treating mental disorders, or are relevant to disrupt or improve reward- or aversive related behaviors.

A method for noninvasive analysis of a retina includes exposing the retina to one or more first sets of at least three illumination light signals. The at least three illumination light signals each have a different wavelength. The method also includes optically collecting a reflected light signal for each of the at least three illumination light signals of the one or more first sets. Each of the reflected light signals is a portion of the respective illumination light signal reflected by the retina. The method further includes detecting the reflected light signals of the one or more first sets as a function of intensity. The method still further includes determining a first opsin density using the detected intensity of each of the reflected light signals of the one or more first sets.

Provided herein are compositions comprising light-activated chimeric proteins expressed on plasma membranes and methods of using the same to selectively depolarize excitatory or inhibitory neurons.

A system and method for controlling neural and muscular function is disclosed in which opsins are introduced into a neural circuit such that the control of optical signals transmitted to the opsins results in the control of neural and muscular functions. Specifically disclosed is the control of the bladder, bowel, and sexual functions of a human.

Provided herein are animals expressing light-responsive opsin proteins in the basal lateral amygdala of the brain and methods for producing the same wherein illumination of the light-responsive opsin proteins causes anxiety in the animal. Also provided herein are methods for alleviating and inducing anxiety in an animal as well as methods for screening for a compound that alleviates anxiety in an animal.

A light-sensitive chimeric protein comprising domains from at least two members of the G-protein-coupled-receptor (GPCR) protein super family, which are fused to yield a light-sensitive GPCR chimera capable of coupling a light signal to the signaling cascade of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) is provided for medical therapy and for the manufacture of medicaments for improving vision, in particular for treating loss of vision resulting from retinal photoreceptor degeneration. A first of the at least two GPCR family members contributes domains which mediate the light-sensitivity to the chimeric light-sensitive GPCR protein. This first member belongs to the family of light-sensitive GPCR proteins also called photopigments, and in some embodiments this light-sensitive GPCR protein is melanopsin, in particular human melanopsin. A second of the at least two GPCR family members is mGluR6, which contributes domains for coupling the light signal to the intracellular signalling cascade of mGluR6, which is a native component of the cell membrane of ON-bipolar cells in the inner retina.

Principles of the present disclosure are directed to novel methods and devices for efficient and targeted delivery of impermeable exogenous materials such as small molecules, proteins, antibodies, and genes into cells, both in vitro as well as in vivo, which is of great importance for drug, vaccine and gene delivery for various therapeutic applications. Specifically, the invention provides device and method for targeted nano-enhanced optical delivery of opsins for vision restoration in patients with retinal photodegeneration by conventional intravitreal/sub-retinal injection of gold nano-rods and opsin plasmids followed by scanned/spatially modulated laser beam matching the pathological areas determined by Fundoscopy, OCT or scanning ophthalmoscope.

Synthetic oligonucleotides are used to express opsins in cells, such as neurons and cardiomyocytes, for rapid induction of light-responsive electrophysiological behavior. Such induction can change the electrical properties of the cell. MEA analysis and use of voltage indicator proteins are described. Methods of testing drugs for their effect on electrical properties of the cell are described, along with methods for screening drugs that have an effect on a cell's electrical properties.

The disclosure provides non-human optogenetic animal models of depression. Specifically, non-human animals each expresses a light- responsive opsin in a neuron of the animal are provided. The animal models are useful for identifying agents and targets of therapeutic strategies for treatment of depression. Examples of using the non-human animals expressing light-responsive opsin including Halorhodopsin family of light-responsive chloride pumps and Channelrhodopsin family of light-responsive cation channel proteins are described.