Optogenetics

Recent articles

Research image of a mouse brain with the same spot shown three times in different colors to show different neurochemical concentrations.

New dopamine sensor powers three-color imaging in live animals

The tool leverages a previously unused segment of the color spectrum to track the neurotransmitter and can be used with two additional sensors to monitor other neurochemicals at different wavelengths.

By Diana Kwon
25 July 2025 | 5 min listen
Research image of red and blue light emitted from the Neuropixels Opto probe.

‘Perturb and record’ optogenetics probe aims precision spotlight at brain structures

The tool provides a new way to characterize cells and study neuronal circuits.

By Claudia López Lloreda
29 April 2025 | 4 min read
Research image of serotonin and dopamine neurons manipulated simultaneously in mice.

Dopamine ‘gas pedal’ and serotonin ‘brake’ team up to accelerate learning

Mice learn fastest and most reliably when they experience an increase in dopamine paired with an inhibition of serotonin in their nucleus accumbens, a new study shows, helping to resolve long-standing questions about the neuromodulators’ relationship.

By Angie Voyles Askham
12 February 2025 | 5 min read
Research image of green and purple mouse brain slices.

Putting a bright idea to the test

A surprising wave of findings in mice suggests that light and sound flickering at 40 hertz clears the brain of Alzheimer’s-disease-linked plaques. Several companies are hoping to prove it works in people.

By Shaena Montanari
21 August 2024 | 11 min read
Portrait of Kaspar Podgorski standing in his lab wearing a helmet with a climbing rope over his shoulder.

Climbing to new heights: Q&A with Kaspar Podgorski

The optical physiologist tracks neural computations inside the lab and scales sheer rock faces outside—even after a life-changing fall.

By Elissa Welle
21 June 2024 | 8 min read

Robots boost data consistency in rodent studies reliant on mechanical, optogenetic stimulation

Two new devices take experimenter variation out of the equation, the lead investigators say.

By Calli McMurray
15 May 2024 | 0 min watch
Photograph of Simone Biles vaulting at the Summer 2020 Olympics.

Learning or performance? Why the distinction matters for memory science

New methods make it possible to probe the neural substrates of memory with unprecedented precision. Making the most of them demands careful experimental design.

By Stephen Maren
11 March 2024 | 6 min read
Photograph of an intimidating lab mouse.

Newly found hypothalamus circuits shape bullying behaviors in mice

Activity in the tiny brain region helps submissive rodents learn to avoid aggressors, and aggressive mice to curb their attacks, according to two recent studies.

By Angie Voyles Askham
5 March 2024 | 6 min listen
A research image of a mouse brain under anesthesia

What goes up must come down: New marker flags decreased neural activity

Phosphorylation of the metabolic enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase inversely correlates with neural activity, offering scientists a tool to study inhibition for the first time.

By Elissa Welle
14 February 2024 | 6 min read
Portrait of scientist Sheena Josselyn behind a window, with a reflection over her face.

Sheena Josselyn and memories lost, found and created

Her hunt for the engram opened a new avenue in memory research.

By Alla Katsnelson
30 January 2024 | 13 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Research image of neuron organization in c elegans.

Worms help untangle brain structure/function mystery

The synaptic connectome of most animals bears little resemblance to functional brain maps, but it can still predict neuronal activity, according to two preprints that tackle the puzzle in C. elegans

By Holly Barker
29 August 2025 | 7 min read
Research image of microglia in organoids.

Microglia nurture young interneurons

The immune cells secrete a growth factor that “sets the supply of GABAergic interneurons in the developing brain.”

By Lauren Schenkman
28 August 2025 | 4 min read

Xaq Pitkow shares his principles for studying cognition in our imperfect brains and bodies

Pitkow discusses how evolution's messy constraints shape optimal brain algorithms, from Bayesian inference to ecological affordances.

By Paul Middlebrooks
27 August 2025 | 1 min read

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