What is Optogenetics?
Optogenetics is the process whereby DNA encoded proteins can be manipulated by light so as to manipulate intra-cellular function
The OBHT Process
Part One: The Viral Vector
OBHT starts by splicing DNA that encodes for rhodopsin proteins onto DNA, already in the cell, that encodes for Histamine 1 Receptors. This DNA is introduced into autoreactive T cells by a viral vector (depicted above). The DNA is converted in to proteins through transcription and translation (depicted below).
Part Two: The Rhodopsin
Once the rhodopsin (in the case of OBHT, channelrhodopsin) is encoded into the DNA of the cell, every time the cell produces a histamine 1 receptor it will include a channelrhodopsin. This rhodopsin allows for the histamine receptor to be stimulated by light. In Channelrhodopsin, light changes the electromagnetic energy within the Schiff Base (Depicted Above in context of the protein) causing an ion to be released which travels through a space opened up in the protein until it passes on to the H1 Receptor.
Part Three: The Histamine 1 Receptor
The OBHT Project simulates the effects of histamine on a histamine receptor by triggering the histamine receptor using the ions moved from the rhodopsin.
By simulating the effects of histamine the OBHT project can slow down the progression of MS. The first way it slows down MS is by changing the pattern of the integrin (depicted above) clusters on the surface of an autoreactive T cell. Integrin is critical for autoreactive T cells to adhere to myelin (depicted below). By stopping the T cells ability to adhere to myelin, OBHT prevents damage that could occur.
The second mechanism OBHT uses to slow down MS is blocking phosphorylation, which is a crucial part of communication between cells. Phosphorylation occurs when you add phosphoryl (depicted above) groups to the cell.
Part Four: The Light Source
In order to activate the light needed to start the OBHT process, a fiberoptic light source is placed around and within the brain in order to reach every autoreactive T cell. The specific pulsation and color patterns of light emitted would be decided by a computer communication devise implanted within a portion of the brain .