Apologies for cross postings.. _____ From: Lisa Schubert [mailto:lisa.schubert@hyms.ac.uk] Sent: 12 November 2009 10:13 To: Lisa Schubert Subject: University of York: Cell and Molecular Biology Lunch Club - Mon 16th November If you would like to meet with Professor Miesenboeck during his visit, please contact Sean Sweeney (sts1(a)york.ac.uk) CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LUNCH CLUB Monday 16th November 2009, 1.15pm Room K018, Biology Professor Geor Miesenboeck Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford "The beginnings of optogenetics " Abstract: Light-sensitive proteins encoded in DNA can serve as selective optical interfaces for observing and controlling genetically targeted neurons in functioning circuits, in vitro and in vivo. Light-emitting sensors of neuronal activity (reporting calcium increase, neurotransmitter release, or membrane depolarization) have begun to reveal how information is represented by neuronal assemblies, and how these representations are transformed during the computations that inform behaviour. Light-driven actuators control the electrical activity of central neurons in freely moving animals and establish causal connections between the activities of specific neurons and the expression of particular behaviours. The combination of finely resolved optical field sensing and finely resolved optical field actuation is opening new dimensions for the analysis of the connectivity, dynamics, and plasticity of neuronal circuits, and perhaps even for replacing lost---or designing novel---functionalities. Host: Sean Sweeney (sts1(a)york.ac.uk) -- Centre for Immunology and Infection Department of Biology and Hull York Medical School University of York P O Box 373 York YO10 5YW Tel: 01904 328845 Fax: 01904 328844 www.york.ac.uk/res/cii