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Infrared light excites cells by changing their electrical capacitance

Author

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  • Mikhail G. Shapiro

    (University of Chicago
    Present address: Miller Research Institute, University of California at Berkeley, 2536 Channing Way, California 94720, USA.)

  • Kazuaki Homma

    (Northwestern University)

  • Sebastian Villarreal

    (University of Chicago)

  • Claus-Peter Richter

    (Northwestern University
    Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
    The Hugh Knowles Center, Northwestern University)

  • Francisco Bezanilla

    (University of Chicago)

Abstract

Optical stimulation has enabled important advances in the study of brain function and other biological processes, and holds promise for medical applications ranging from hearing restoration to cardiac pace making. In particular, pulsed laser stimulation using infrared wavelengths >1.5 μm has therapeutic potential based on its ability to directly stimulate nerves and muscles without any genetic or chemical pre-treatment. However, the mechanism of infrared stimulation has been a mystery, hindering its path to the clinic. Here we show that infrared light excites cells through a novel, highly general electrostatic mechanism. Infrared pulses are absorbed by water, producing a rapid local increase in temperature. This heating reversibly alters the electrical capacitance of the plasma membrane, depolarizing the target cell. This mechanism is fully reversible and requires only the most basic properties of cell membranes. Our findings underscore the generality of pulsed infrared stimulation and its medical potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikhail G. Shapiro & Kazuaki Homma & Sebastian Villarreal & Claus-Peter Richter & Francisco Bezanilla, 2012. "Infrared light excites cells by changing their electrical capacitance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1742
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1742
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    Cited by:

    1. Kamal R Dhakal & Ling Gu & Shivaranjani Shivalingaiah & Torry S Dennis & Samara A Morris-Bobzean & Ting Li & Linda I Perrotti & Samarendra K Mohanty, 2014. "Non-Scanning Fiber-Optic Near-Infrared Beam Led to Two-Photon Optogenetic Stimulation In-Vivo," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(11), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Carlos A. Z. Bassetto & Juergen Pfeffermann & Rohit Yadav & Simon Strassgschwandtner & Toma Glasnov & Francisco Bezanilla & Peter Pohl, 2024. "Photolipid excitation triggers depolarizing optocapacitive currents and action potentials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Mertcan Han & Erdost Yildiz & Ugur Bozuyuk & Asli Aydin & Yan Yu & Aarushi Bhargava & Selcan Karaz & Metin Sitti, 2024. "Janus microparticles-based targeted and spatially-controlled piezoelectric neural stimulation via low-intensity focused ultrasound," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.

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