Optogenetics
Optogenetics is a technique used for studying information processing in the brain.
Both traditional genetics and optogenetics have similar goals but, while the former has the aim to understand the role of proteins, by controlling them, in development and behavior of organisms, the latter is utilized by scientists to ascertain knowledge about how neural circuits are working in brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
There is a more
crucial difference between genetics and optogenetics. In traditional genetics,
the process of manipulating the proteins demands a wider time span, from days
to even months. In optogenetics, instead, the study of neural activity requires
millisecond precision. By adding light-activated proteins to neurons and making
use of optics, researchers can control the neural activity patterns, switching
them on and off, adding or deleting them in the brain.
Cobolt Modulated Dual Combiner 473+594nm for Optogenetics
Cobolt offers a modulated light engine, which is ready for fiber coupling and includes two attractive emission wavelengths for light-activated proteins; 473nm (up to 50mW) 594 nm (up to 100mW) from one small box. Through the integrating of a silent SRS shutter, the output beam can be modulated at up to 100 Hz with a very short rise time of <350 μs, with maintained 3% power stability and a completely dark state in OFF mode. Each line can be individually addressed through a software application provided with the lasers, or through RS232/USB communication.
References
G. Boas, Optogenetics: A Conversation with Ed Boyden, BioPhotonics , October 2010.
