Optogenetic cardiac pacing and its applications

Optogenetics combines the biological techniques of optics and genetics and uses light to control the activities of living tissues such as neurons and heart. Optogenetic actuators including channelrhodopsin (ChR), halorhodopsin (NpHR), and archaerhodopsin specifically provide for neuronal or cardiac controls. The clinical translation of cardiac optogenetics will include human and larger mammalian animal model applications and ultimately optogenetics may have the power to restore normal heart rhythm.