Projects per year
Abstract
State-of-the-art innovations in optical cardiac electrophysiology are significantly enhancing cardiac research. A potential leap into patient care is now on the horizon. Optical mapping, using fluorescent probes and high-speed cameras, offers detailed insights into cardiac activity and arrhythmias by analysing electrical signals, calcium dynamics, and metabolism. Optogenetics utilizes light-sensitive ion channels and pumps to realize contactless, cell-selective cardiac actuation for modelling arrhythmia, restoring sinus rhythm, and probing complex cell–cell interactions. The merging of optogenetics and optical mapping techniques for ‘all-optical’ electrophysiology marks a significant step forward. This combination allows for the contactless actuation and sensing of cardiac electrophysiology, offering unprecedented spatial–temporal resolution and control. Recent studies have performed all-optical imaging ex vivo and achieved reliable optogenetic pacing in vivo, narrowing the gap for clinical use. Progress in optical electrophysiology continues at pace. Advances in motion tracking methods are removing the necessity of motion uncoupling, a key limitation of optical mapping. Innovations in optoelectronics, including miniaturized, biocompatible illumination and circuitry, are enabling the creation of implantable cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators with optoelectrical closed-loop systems. Computational modelling and machine learning are emerging as pivotal tools in enhancing optical techniques, offering new avenues for analysing complex data and optimizing therapeutic strategies. However, key challenges remain including opsin delivery, real-time data processing, longevity, and chronic effects of optoelectronic devices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in optical mapping and optogenetics and outlines the promising future of optics in reshaping cardiac electrophysiology and therapeutic strategies.
Original language | English |
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Article number | euae017 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-14 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Europace |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 16 Jan 2024 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Funding:The authors are supported by the Wellcome Trust (109604/Z/15/Z;221650/Z/20/Z); British Heart Foundation (PG/17/55/33087, RG/17/15/33106, FS/19/12/342040, FS/PhD/20/29093, FS/PhD/22/29309); British Heart Foundation Accelerator Award to the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham (AA/18/2/34218); Medical Research Council AIM DTP (MR/W007002/1).
Keywords
- Fluorescence
- Optoelectronic
- Optical mapping
- Optogenetic
- Calcium
- Pacemaker
- All-optical
- Action potential
- Cardiac
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Project: Research
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Project: Research
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Cardiotonic steroids in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: Quantification, functional effects and personalisation of digoxin therapy
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Project: Research
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Project: Research