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OpenOptogenetics is an attempt to promote the sharing of information and know-how in optogenetics.
Sensory information is typically represented in distributed patterns of activity across large populations of neurons. Therefore, many emerging neuro-photonic applications, such as optogenetic retinal prostheses require systems capable of delivering intense, parallel and dynamic light patterns. Such a system will ideally allow photo-control with single-cell selectivity of large neural populations expressing optogenetic probes, rather than nonspecific flashed illumination of the whole population (as provided by many current optogenetic light delivery systems). In a recent Nature Communications report, Reutsky-Gefen, Shoham and colleagues demonstrate holographic optogenetic control of retinal neural activity which is shown to provide rapid cellular-resolution, massively parallel excitation across macroscopic (millimeter-scale) coverage areas. The study illustrates that diffractive wavefront shaping (holographic) tools offer a powerful modality for dynamic patterned photo-stimulation as they naturally combine the high intensity, efficiency and resolution that are characteristic of sequential laser deflectors (like acousto-optical deflectors) with the simultaneous scan-less parallel illumination of multiple locations of microdisplay array projectors, but without their respective limitations. ...Continue reading...

Cellular-resolution optogenetic ‘retinal stimulation fields’ (SFs). (a) Fluorescent image of retina and multielectrode array (black dots) with superposed distribution of SFs (estimated from spike-triggered averaging of pseudo-random holographic patterns with 20 spots each). Scale bar, 200 µm. (b) Retinal SFs matching somata of visualized ChR2-eYFP-expressing RGCs. Scale bar, 20 µm. (c) Mean SF spatial distribution (n = 202 units from 11 retinas). Scale bar, 50 µm. From Reutsky-Gefen et al., 2013..

About OpenOptogenetics


What is OpenOptogenetics?
OpenOptogenetics is a collaborative project started in 2010 which aims at promoting, facilitating and democratizing the use of optogenetic approaches in biological research. In this wiki, researchers can share their technical know-how and keep each other informed about the latest technical advances. OpenOptogenetics also provides background knowledge to help everyone master current tools and anticipate future technical developments.


How to contribute?
OpenOptogenetics.org is open and free. Anyone can post/edit articles and upload files after creating an account. Steps for registering are the following:

  1. Request an account here. You will be asked to enter your username, email address and a short biography.
  2. An email will be sent to you with a link to validate your address.
  3. An administrator will then review your request and aprove it.
  4. You will receive a confirmation email with your username and password, asking you to log in and change your password.
  5. That's it. You can then start creating and editing pages (only admins can delete pages). Look for help in the "help" tab of the navigation bar.

Feedback, comments, suggestions and requests for new entries in the navigation bar can be sent to the admins (postmaster[at]openoptogenetics[dot]org). Artwork for the wiki is welcome. Submit your pictures and drawings at the above address. A flyer to advertise the wiki can be downloaded from here.

Wiki Updates
  • 18/08/2012: users can now register and post comments on the blog. Wordpress upgraded to 3.4.1.
  • 11/07/2012: new wiki page for posting job adverts in the field of optogenetics.
  • 06/06/2012: featured news are now entered as regular blog posts. A summary will be provided on the wiki's main page.
  • 08/12/2011: page News deleted. News are now posted on our Twitter account.
  • 05/05/2011: SQL database extended to 500 Mo.
  • 04/15/2011: anti-spam protection upgraded. Account creation now requires to fill up a form with of short biography (7 words minimum) and to confirm the account via email.
Wiki stats: 711 pages, 209 uploaded files.