Topic: channelrhodopsin (ChR2)

To fully understand how information is processed in complex cell circuits, we need techniques able to specifically target and control the activity of the elements involved, including astrocytes. Currently available tools like optogenetics and chemogenetics affect the entire astrocytic population, making it difficult to target specific subsets. This lack of specificity hinders our understanding of the role of astrocytes in behavior.We present a tool to translate the activity-mediated calcium signals of astrocytes into gene expression in a light-dependent manner, i.e. AstroLight. Using AstroLigh