Leland Stanford Junior University

Ofer Yizhar

Karl A Deisseroth

Peter Hegemann

Lief Fenno

Andre Berndt

Lisa Gunaydin

Matthias Prigge

Provided herein are compositions comprising non-human animals comprising neurons expressing stabilized step function opsin proteins on neural plasma membranes and methods of using the same to selectively depolarize neurons residing in microcircuits of the pre-frontal cortex to affect one or more social behaviors, communications, and/or conditioned behaviors in the non-human animal.

Stabilized step function opsin proteins and methods of using the same

Provided herein are compositions comprising light-activated chimeric proteins expressed on plasma membranes and methods of using the same to selectively depolarize excitatory or inhibitory neurons.

Light-activated chimeric opsins and methods of using the same

Stimulation of target cells using light, e.g., in vivo or in vitro, is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. One example involves a vector for delivering a light-activated molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that codes for light-activated molecule. The light-activated molecule includes a modification to a location near the all-trans retinal Schiff base, e.g., to extends the duration time of the open state. Other aspects and embodiments are directed to systems, methods, kits, compositions of matter and molecules for ion channels or pumps or for controlling currents in a cell (e.g., in in vivo and in vitro environments).

Optically-based stimulation of target cells and modifications thereto

Stimulation of target cells using light, e.g., in vivo or in vitro, is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. One example involves a vector for delivering a light-activated molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that codes for light-activated molecule. The light-activated molecule includes a modification to a location near the all-trans retinal Schiff base, e.g., to extends the duration time of the open state. Other aspects and embodiments are directed to systems, methods, kits, compositions of matter and molecules for ion channels or pumps or for controlling currents in a cell (e.g., in vivo or in vitro environments).

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Ofer Yizhar