Cal-Light

Calcium and Light Inducible Gene-expression Handling Toolkit

Despite recent advances in optogenetics, it remains challenging to manipulate gene expression in specific populations of neurons. We present a dual-protein switch system, Cal-Light, that translates neuronal-activity-mediated calcium signaling into gene expression in a light-dependent manner.

Cal-Light will allow to dissect neural circuits underlying complex mammalian behaviors with high spatiotemporal precision.

Application of Cal-Light

Light- and activity-gated gene expression during traumatic conditions

return to home cage

re-exposure to traumatic conditions

optogenetic inhibition of the circuit involving traumatic memory

exposure to

traumatic conditions

In vivo manipulation of learning-related neuronal population. Cal-Light constructs were injected into motor cortex area bilaterally. An eNpHR reporter was injected to inhibit activity from selective neuronal population labeled during lever-pressing behavior.