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RE: Light delivery and stimulation in Optogenetics
Exactly! Well, electricity is quite hard to control in terms of spreading - it spreads everywhere. With optogenetics you could really stimulate just the areas you want to. But unfortunately it is years and years from application on humans.
Ah that's a bummer. Still the concept is there and perhaps we could see PNS applications before we go CNS? Maybe a cool way to control future bionic limbs :p (I want to be a cyborg when I grow up ;) )
I think we have the same aspirations :D :D
The main problem lies in the need of expression of light-sensitive proteins in target cells. And creating GMO humans is generally not very welcome :D
However, interesting thing is, that some of these light-sensitive proteins can be also activated with infrared or near-infrared light. These wavelengths have really great penetration ability and thus neuronal stimulation could be achieved without need of optic-fibres or LEDs. So maybe in distant future we could activate certain brain regions without any invasive drilling or stuff.