Course Overview
Optogenetics is a powerful technique that has been primarily applied in the field of neuroscience with spectacular success. This course will be focused specifically on the new and emerging field of non-neuronal optogenetics. The possibility to modulate signaling pathways and cell behavior with high spatio-temporal precision offers entirely novel approaches to dissect molecular mechanisms governing morphogenesis and homeostasis from the cell to the organismal scale.
Audience
The course is aimed at PhD students, post-docs or more senior scientists actively involved in experimental work who intend to apply optogenetics to the field of cell and developmental biology.
Modules/Resources
- Photoreceptors utilised in non-neuronal optogenetics
- In silico genetic engineering/bioinformatics
- In situ application of optogenetic methods in cultured mammalian cells
- Spatial light patterning
- Multi-photon microscopy
- In vivo applications in model organisms including Drosophila melanogaster
Learning Outcomes
While optogenetics will have broad impact on many fields of biology, it is currently challenging to design and perform optogenetic experiments. Significant experimental pitfalls exist and many new optogenetic tools are being developed. With this course we will bring together experts in the field that will teach participants to overcome pitfalls and provide a comprehensive coverage of the current state-of-the-art and future developments, while providing significant hands-on experience at the microscope.
