Optogenetic technology: breakthroughs and challenges from basic research to clinical translation

Hongyou Zhao; Hui Yue; Wenxin Chou; Shanlin Yang; Yidi Liu; Mianwang He; Yunqi Li; Jianfei Guo; Haixia Qiu; Yilei Xiao; Ying Gu

doi:10.1117/1.AP.7.5.054001

Optogenetic technology: breakthroughs and challenges from basic research to clinical translation

Hongyou Zhao^*
, Hui Yue
, Wenxin Chou
, Shanlin Yang
, Yidi Liu
, Mianwang He
, Yunqi Li
, Jianfei Guo
, Haixia Qiu^*
, Yilei Xiao^*
, Ying Gu^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Beijing Institute of Technology
Department of Neurosurgery
Liaocheng People's Hospital
Department of Laser Medicine
Neurology Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital
General Hospital of People's Liberation Army
Chinese PLA General Hospital

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In the past two decades, optogenetic technology has developed to be the most accurate method for investigating or treating neural correlated diseases. Currently, the applications of optogenetic technology have been expanded from the initial central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system, circulatory system, locomotor system, alimentary system, urinary system, and so on. We summarize the recent progress of optogenetic technology in biomedical applications through two categories: activation or inhibition of neural impulses. The involved diseases include Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrhythmias, and chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, basic and clinical research in optogenetic technology for visual restoration is highlighted, and the challenges of optogenetic technology for clinical applications are discussed.

Original language	English
Article number	054001
Journal	Advanced Photonics
Volume	7
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/1.AP.7.5.054001
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2025
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

biomedical applications
neuron activation
neuron inhibition
optogenetics
photosensitive proteins

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10.1117/1.AP.7.5.054001

Cite this

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title = "Optogenetic technology: breakthroughs and challenges from basic research to clinical translation",

abstract = "In the past two decades, optogenetic technology has developed to be the most accurate method for investigating or treating neural correlated diseases. Currently, the applications of optogenetic technology have been expanded from the initial central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system, circulatory system, locomotor system, alimentary system, urinary system, and so on. We summarize the recent progress of optogenetic technology in biomedical applications through two categories: activation or inhibition of neural impulses. The involved diseases include Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrhythmias, and chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, basic and clinical research in optogenetic technology for visual restoration is highlighted, and the challenges of optogenetic technology for clinical applications are discussed.",

keywords = "biomedical applications, neuron activation, neuron inhibition, optogenetics, photosensitive proteins",

author = "Hongyou Zhao and Hui Yue and Wenxin Chou and Shanlin Yang and Yidi Liu and Mianwang He and Yunqi Li and Jianfei Guo and Haixia Qiu and Yilei Xiao and Ying Gu",

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doi = "10.1117/1.AP.7.5.054001",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Optogenetic technology

T2 - breakthroughs and challenges from basic research to clinical translation

AU - Zhao, Hongyou

AU - Yue, Hui

AU - Chou, Wenxin

AU - Yang, Shanlin

AU - Liu, Yidi

AU - He, Mianwang

AU - Li, Yunqi

AU - Guo, Jianfei

AU - Qiu, Haixia

AU - Xiao, Yilei

AU - Gu, Ying

PY - 2025/9/1

Y1 - 2025/9/1

N2 - In the past two decades, optogenetic technology has developed to be the most accurate method for investigating or treating neural correlated diseases. Currently, the applications of optogenetic technology have been expanded from the initial central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system, circulatory system, locomotor system, alimentary system, urinary system, and so on. We summarize the recent progress of optogenetic technology in biomedical applications through two categories: activation or inhibition of neural impulses. The involved diseases include Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrhythmias, and chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, basic and clinical research in optogenetic technology for visual restoration is highlighted, and the challenges of optogenetic technology for clinical applications are discussed.

AB - In the past two decades, optogenetic technology has developed to be the most accurate method for investigating or treating neural correlated diseases. Currently, the applications of optogenetic technology have been expanded from the initial central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system, circulatory system, locomotor system, alimentary system, urinary system, and so on. We summarize the recent progress of optogenetic technology in biomedical applications through two categories: activation or inhibition of neural impulses. The involved diseases include Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, cardiac arrhythmias, and chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, basic and clinical research in optogenetic technology for visual restoration is highlighted, and the challenges of optogenetic technology for clinical applications are discussed.

KW - biomedical applications

KW - neuron activation

KW - neuron inhibition

KW - optogenetics

KW - photosensitive proteins

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020719607

U2 - 10.1117/1.AP.7.5.054001

DO - 10.1117/1.AP.7.5.054001

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105020719607

SN - 2577-5421

VL - 7

JO - Advanced Photonics

JF - Advanced Photonics

IS - 5

M1 - 054001

ER -

Optogenetic technology: breakthroughs and challenges from basic research to clinical translation

Abstract

Keywords

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