Systems, methods and compositions for optical stimulation of target cells

Abstract

Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with light-responsive ion channel molecules. One such method is implemented using a light-activated ion channel molecule that responds to a light stimulus. The method includes engineering the light-activated ion channel molecule in a cell; and activating the ion channel molecule, in response to light stimulus that is provided to the ion channel molecule and that has properties that do not activate a ChR2 ion channel, to allow ions to pass through the light-activated ion channel molecule.

1 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method for separably modulating activity of a first cell population and a second cell population, the method comprising:
 activating a  Volvox carteri  light-responsive ion channel (VChR1) protein with yellow light, wherein the first cell population is engineered to express the VChR1 protein; and   activating a  Chlamydomonas reinhardtii  light-responsive (ChR2) protein with blue light, wherein the second cell population is engineered to express the ChR2 protein.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the yellow light has a wavelength in a range from 535 nm to 589 nm. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the yellow light has a wavelength of 589 nm. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the blue light has a wavelength of 406 nm. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first cell population comprises a stem cell. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the second cell population comprises a stem cell. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first cell population comprises a neuronal cell. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the second cell population comprises a neuronal cell. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the VChR1 protein is encoded by a nucleotide sequence operably linked to an alpha-CaMKII promoter. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the VChR1 protein is encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is optimized for expression in a mammalian cell. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the VChR1 protein is encoded by an expression vector. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the expression vector is a viral vector. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the viral vector is a lentiviral vector or an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the VChR1 protein comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the ChR2 protein comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         45 . A treatment method comprising:
 a) implanting into an individual a device comprising:
 i) a first recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a  Volvox carteri  light-responsive ion channel (VChR1) protein; 
 ii) a second recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a  Chlamydomonas reinhardtii  light-responsive (ChR2) protein; and 
 iii) a light-delivery mechanism, 
   wherein the VChR1 protein is produced in a first cell population in the individual, and the ChR2 protein is produced in a second cell population in the individual; and   b) separably activating the VChR1 protein and the ChR2 protein with yellow light and blue light, respectively, from the light-delivery mechanism, thereby providing a treatment to the individual.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the first cell population comprises a neuronal cell, and wherein the second cell population comprises a neuronal cell. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein individual has a neurological disease, and wherein the activating treats the neurological disease. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the light delivery mechanism comprises a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the light delivery mechanism comprises a fiber optic. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the light delivery mechanism comprises a laser.