1. Use of optics & Use of genetics
Optogenetics
Use of optics
&
Use of genetics

2. Transgenic approaches are easy with fruit flies

4. How could we target ChR to motor neurons?
OK371-Gal4 x UAS-ChR2
In other words, what gene is OK371?
Drosophila vesicular glutamate
transporter gene (DVGLUT) that is expressed almost exclusively
in neurons that release glutamate (Mahr and Aberle
2006).

6. Human Brain

7. Adult Drosophila brain with neurons stained green and the neurotransmitter serotonin stained red.

8. Green are serotonin containing neurons

9. Experiments
Larva
Motor neurons
Examine acute behavioral changes

10. Mechanism of Channelrhodopsin2 in motor neurons Channelrhodopsin2 inactivated (normal light)
Ca2+
ChR2
NO Muscle contraction

11. Mechanism of Channelrhodopsin2 in motor neurons
Channelrhodopsin2 activated (blue light)
Blue light
Na+
Ca2+
ChR2
Glutamate
Glutamate instead
of Acetylcholine
in Drosophila
Muscle contraction

12. Blue light source setup

13. Bodywall contractions in larva

14. Group-1

15. Neuromuscular JunctionES
Presynaptic terminal
Go back and forth with blue light within PPT
Synaptic cleft
Postsynaptic target
Glutamate Receptors

16. What would happen with the Minis at fly NMJ with ChR2 activation?

17. Lets do it !