How it works is, the DNA coding for the light sensitive protein in algae, chanelrhodopsin-2, activated retinal cells under blue light. This activation allows for visual information to be transduced to the brain. Here is how to prepare the virus.
The mechanisms of chanelrhodopsin-2 are astounding, In the absence of blue light, it is like a tunnel compressed. When it is activated by the blue light it opens, flowing molecules through. When mice received this virus and attached to a fiber optic cable, brain movements could be controlled by light here is what happened.
In the video, the blue light activates the neuron on the right hemisphere shown when it runs in left circles. The yellow light turns the neuron off.
This is extremely interesting because it is the first study of this kind that will be performed on humans. There have been optogenetic tests performed on mice, but Scientists do not know if this will work with the Human Eye. Will the eye reproduce the genes from Chanelrhodopsin-2 as its own? I am extremely excited to follow up.
From what I gathered, it seems like these scientists are turning viruses into biological factories much like we did in lab that produce the light sensitive proteins. If this can be used in humans, it could help give people sight again. I was thinking that these types of treatments could possibly be used to produce proteins that can fix other problems whether from injury or congenital defects.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I gathered, it seems like these scientists are turning viruses into biological factories much like we did in lab that produce the light sensitive proteins. If this can be used in humans, it could help give people sight again. I was thinking that these types of treatments could possibly be used to produce proteins that can fix other problems whether from injury or congenital defects.
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