Optogenetics is an emerging technique in neuroscience that allows controlling cells with light. One of the main limitations so far is the low spatial resolution of the available light sources which prevents specific optical targeting of individual cells or groups of cells. Furthermore, the rigidity of the traditional light sources is hardly compatible with soft biological tissue.
The NeurOLED project aimed at developing a new light source for optogenetics based on organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). OLEDs are based on extremely thin layers of organic compounds, can be structured to high-density arrays and may be fabricated on flexible plastic foils. Thus, they can overcome limitations of existing light sources and enable high-resolution optogenetic stimulation of cells over both small and large areas.
Due to the high brightness requirements for optogenetics, the harsh aqueous environment, and the need for small pixel arrays – all of which are not standard for OLEDs –, a large part of the project looked at adapting OLED technology for this new application. To demonstrate the usability of OLEDs in optogenetics, neurons were stimulated both in vitro and in vivo.
This project has been highly interdisciplinary, located at the interface of physics, materials science, biophotonics and neuroscience, and successfully established OLEDs as new light source in different environments for optogenetics. This gives neuroscientists a new tool to better understand the brain and allows a more in depth research of neurological diseases.
