Frozen light switches: How Arctic microbes could revolutionize neuroscience

In the frozen reaches of the planet—glaciers, mountaintops, and icy groundwater—scientists person uncovered unusual light-sensitive molecules successful tiny microbes. These “cryorhodopsins” tin respond to airy successful ways that mightiness fto researchers crook encephalon cells connected and disconnected similar switches. Some adjacent glow blue, a uncommon and utile trait for aesculapian applications. These molecules whitethorn assistance the microbes consciousness unsafe UV airy successful utmost environments, and scientists judge they could 1 time powerfulness caller encephalon tech, similar light-based proceeding immunodeficiency oregon next-level neuroscience tools—all acknowledgment to proteins that thrive successful the acold and shimmer nether light.