Special Feature
Method of the Year 2010
- Special Feature
Nature Methods' choice of Method of the Year 2010 is optogenetics for its capacity to control cell function with light. A series of articles and a video describe how optogenetics has revolutionized the way experiments are conducted in neuroscience and showcase the potential the method has for the study of many signaling pathways in cell biology. The special feature also discusses how technological development will be needed to expand the possibilities of optogenetics. Brief Methods to Watch provide a glimpse of future Method of the Year candidates.
Editorial
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Method of the Year 2010
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.321
With the capacity to control cellular behaviors using light and genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins, optogenetics has opened new doors for experimentation across biological fields.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (53 KB) - Method of the Year 2010
News Feature
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Light tools
Monya Baker
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.322
Optogenetics grows from an idea into a discipline. Monya Baker reports.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (404 KB)
Primer
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Optogenetics: controlling cell function with light
Erika Pastrana
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.323
A brief description of the basic steps required to control cellular function with optogenetics is presented.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (870 KB)
Commentary
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Optogenetics-
Karl Deisseroth
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.324
Optogenetics is a technology that allows targeted, fast control of precisely defined events in biological systems as complex as freely moving mammals. By delivering optical control at the speed (millisecond–scale) and with the precision (cell type–specific) required for biological processing, optogenetic approaches have opened new landscapes for the study of biology, both in health and disease.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (304 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
From cudgel to scalpel: toward precise neural control with optogenetics-
Simon Peron & Karel Svoboda
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.325
Optogenetics is routinely used to activate and inactivate genetically defined neuronal populations in vivo. A second optogenetic revolution will occur when spatially distributed and sparse neural assemblies can be precisely manipulated in behaving animals.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (1282 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
The promise of optogenetics in cell biology: interrogating molecular circuits in space and time
Jared E. Toettcher, Christopher A. Voigt, Orion D. Weiner & Wendell A. Lim
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.326
Optogenetic modules offer cell biologists unprecedented new ways to poke and prod cells. The combination of these precision perturbative tools with observational tools, such as fluorescent proteins, may dramatically accelerate our ability to understand the inner workings of the cell.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (574 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Channelrhodopsin engineering and exploration of new optogenetic tools-
Peter Hegemann & Andreas Möglich
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.327
Rhodopsins from microalgae and eubacteria are powerful tools for manipulating the function of neurons and other cells, but these tools still have limitations. We discuss engineering approaches that can help advance optogenetics.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (383 KB)
Methods to Watch
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Zinc-finger nucleases-
Natalie de Souza
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.328
Genome-engineering tools with improved design and efficiency will become widely used.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (614 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Targeted proteomics-
Allison Doerr
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.329
Targeted analysis of proteins on a broad scale with mass spectrometry is becoming a reality.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (606 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Torrents of sequence-
Nicole Rusk
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.330
In 2011, we will see the arrival of new and improved sequencing technologies.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (719 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Seamless delivery-
Nicole Rusk
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.331
The payoffs for efficient cargo delivery into living cells make the development of better methods worthwhile.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (719 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Single-molecule structure determination-
Allison Doerr
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.332
X-ray free-electron lasers may enable single-molecule structure determination.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (215 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Adaptive optics for biological imaging-
Erika Pastrana
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.333
The use of adaptive optics to correct light distortions promises to greatly improve the imaging quality of thick biological tissues.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (215 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Networking to understand disease-
Natalie de Souza
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.334
The application of systems approaches to human disease will continue to expand.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (394 KB)
Special Feature: Method of the Year
Fast 3D super-resolution microscopy-
Erika Pastrana
doi:10.1038/nmeth.f.335
High-speed fluorescence imaging in all three dimensions at nanometer resolution will resolve, in finer detail, the workings of the living cell.
Abstract - | Full Text - Method of the Year 2010 | PDF (394 KB)
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