All-Optical Electrophysiology for Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery

The electrical activity of neurons is fundamental to their function, and dysregulation of activity is associated with many nervous system disorders. However, measurement of membrane potential has historically been difficult. We developed tools for all-optical electrophysiology: simultaneous optogenetic stimulation and voltage imaging in large ensembles of neurons. I will describe how these tools are being used for drug discovery and development, in systems ranging from sensory neurons to human stem cell-based models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.