Optogenetic Approach to the Studies of Synaptic Transmission

Abstract

Optogenetics is a modern nanobiological approaches allowing modulation of the physiological status of electrostimulated cells, including the neurons. The optogenetic approach was used to evaluate the efficiency of synaptic transmission between the neurons in a mixed corticostriatal culture. Synaptic contacts between the cortical and striatal neurons forming in a mixed culture could be modulated by the opticogenetic methods. Studies of the synaptic interactions between the neurons were essential for understanding the disease mechanisms, and therefore, this method seemed to be promising for biomedical studies.