Brown University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Central Michigan University

Christopher I Moore

Tyler C Brown

Diane Lipscombe

Ute Hochgeschwender

The present invention provides a method of bioluminescence-driven optogenetic control of excitable cells. The excitable cell expresses a light-gated ion channel, and a luminescent protein can be expressed either in the excitable cell or in another cell proximal to the excitable cell. The methods of the invention can be used to desynchronize local activity of excitable cells in a mammalian tissue. The methods of the invention can be used to treat a disease or condition in a mammal, the disease or condition being related to bursting. The disease or condition can be Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, a sleep disorder, or a sensory-related disease or condition (e.g., attention deficit disorder or pain). The invention also provides a conjugate of containing a voltage-gated ion channel and a luminescent protein.

Minimally-invasive and activity-dependent control of excitable cells

The invention features methods for regulating vascular properties by controlling the membrane properties of endothelial cells using optogenetics and light. The invention features methods to transport therapeutics across the vascular barrier into tissues such as the brain and the lung, with high spatial and temporal precision, and for controlling vascular properties such as vascular tone, arterial diameter, and vascular growth.

Growing community of inventors

Pawtucket, RI, United States of America

Christopher I Moore