Turning Brain Nerves On and Off with Light...DGIST Develops Next-Generation 'Bio Switch' [Reading Science]

Natural Recovery Within 24 Hours After Blocking Neural Signals...Overcoming the Limits of Optogenetics
Expected Applications from Brain Disease Research to Insulin Secretion Control

A next-generation optical control technology that can block signal transmission between nerve cells with a single exposure to light and then restore normal function within a day has been developed by a Korean research team. This new bio-control platform is considered valuable not only for brain neural circuit research but also for studies on metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

DGIST announced on August 6 that Professor Jee-Won Um's research team from the Department of Brain Science, in collaboration with Professor Alice Ting's team at Stanford University, USA, has developed an innovative optical control platform named LATeNT. The research findings were published online on July 31 in the international life science journal Nature Methods.

LATeNT Technology: Next-Generation Optical Control Platform That Selectively Controls Synaptic Transmission with Light. Provided by Research Team

Synapses are the sites where nerve cells exchange information. When synaptic function is disrupted, a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorder can occur. While existing optogenetic technologies have been effective in controlling the electrical activity of neurons, they have had limitations in suppressing signal transmission of specific synapses for prolonged periods and subsequently restoring their original state.

Blocking Neural Signals with a Single Weak Blue Light Exposure...Restoration Within a Day

The research team designed LATeNT by combining a tetanus neurotoxin with a light-sensitive ‘LOV (light-oxygen-voltage)’ protein. This platform blocks synaptic signaling only when exposed to blue light by cleaving ‘VAMP2’ protein, which is essential for neurotransmission. Once the blue light is removed, the transmission function naturally recovers within approximately 24 hours.

Through experiments in mice, the research team temporarily blocked signals from inhibitory neurons in the hippocampus—which regulate memory and emotions—and confirmed that these neurons play a key role in controlling anxiety-related behaviors. The results also showed that LATeNT produced a stronger and longer-lasting inhibitory effect on neurotransmission compared to existing optogenetic techniques.

Research team led by Professor Ji-won Um of the Department of Brain Science at DGIST. (Front row from left) Professor Ji-won Um, Dr. Dongwook Kim, (Back row from left) Researcher Younghyun Jeon, PhD candidate Byungchan Kim, Dr. Hyunho Kim. Provided by DGIST

The team also succeeded in applying LATeNT to pancreatic beta cells, thus precisely controlling insulin secretion with light. The researchers expect that this technology can be utilized not only in brain science, but also in studies of metabolic and immune diseases, as well as in areas such as synthetic biology-based gene circuit engineering.

Professor Um stated, "LATeNT is a novel molecular tool capable of controlling the function of specific synaptic proteins with spatial and temporal precision. If combined in the future with adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery methods or drug-controlled systems, it could evolve into a precision treatment platform for not only brain diseases, but also cancer, metabolic, and immune disorders."

This research was carried out with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea, and Dr. Hee-Kwang Noh and Dr. Dongwook Kim participated as co-first authors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.