Deploying photons for communication within neuronal networks

• DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.02.454613
• Publication Date: 2021-08-03T04:20:25Z
• Authors: Montserrat Porta-...; Adriana Carolina ...; Neus Sanfeliu-Cerdán; Shadi Karimi; Sara González-Bol...; Luis Felipe Moral...; Cedric Hurth; Michael Krieg
• Keywords: Premovement neuronal activity

Deficiencies in neurotransmission lead to neurological disorders or misinterpretation of perceived threats. To restore defects cellular communication, we developed a synthetic, photon-assisted synaptic transmission (PhAST) system. PhAST is based on luciferases and channelrhodopsins that enable the neuronal state across space, using photons as neurotransmitters. We demonstrate ability overcome barriers rescue behavioral deficit genetically engineered glutamate mutant with conditional, Ca 2+ -triggered photon emission between two cognate neurons Caenorhabditis elegans nociceptive avoidance circuit. also deploy these ingredients for asynaptic unrelated cells sexually dimorphic network. Functional could sensitize otherwise poorly responsive males touch hence expand repertoire. Our study, thus, establishes powerful framework complex photon-based communication living animal, can readily be expanded synthetic networks, organoids non-invasive brain-machine interfaces.