Project

NEUROPA – Non-invasive dynamic neural control by laser-based technology

Afflicting around 83 million Europeans, the cost of brain disorders in Europe is enormous. Brain disorders include neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, and other disorders like epilepsy, depression, stroke and migraine. These health challenges require a new approach and new technology. The EU-funded NEUROPA project is addressing this need. It will develop a new phytoptogenetics technology – phytochromes will enable modulation of expression of specific genes that are selectively and non-invasively delivered to targeted cortical neurons in specific cortico-subcortical loops. Compact laser sources and a diffusing wave spectroscopy monitoring system will be developed to enable non-invasive bidirectional control of the phytochromes by two-photon excitation.