Optogenetics

Optogenetics is a tool which aids an investigator in calculating the required optical power for a given in-vivo experiment involving optogenetics or any other experimental approach that includes light delivery to deep brain areas via optical fibers. Different brain areas have different optical properties, which determine how light scatters and distributes, once it exits the optical fiber. To estimate the amount of light required for a given experimental design, knowledge about the specific scattering properties of the brain region of choice, the specific opsin to be used, and the properties of the optical fiber are required. Once a user inputs these parameters into the APP, it calculates the maximal depth at which excitation of the opsin can be expected. The penetration depth is plotted as a function of optical power (mW), such that a user can see how light scatters in the brain tissue under the specific circumstances. For the scientific basis of this calculator, please see Al-Juboori, Dondzillo, Stubblefield, Felsen, Lei, and Klug: Light scattering properties vary across different regions of the adult mouse brain, PlosONE, e67626(8) 2013. For additional information, please see www.optogeneticsapp.com. The pro and regular versions of the app are identical.