Optogenetics in medicine: innovations and therapeutic applications

Yang Zhou; Yu Wei; Lei Li; Tao Yan; Haifeng Ye

doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103262

Optogenetics in medicine: innovations and therapeutic applications

Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2025 Jan 21:92:103262. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103262. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yang Zhou¹, Yu Wei², Lei Li², Tao Yan², Haifeng Ye³

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Wuhu Hospital, Health Science Center, East China Normal University, Wuhu 241001, China.
² Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
³ Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Wuhu Hospital, Health Science Center, East China Normal University, Wuhu 241001, China; Shanghai Academy of Natural Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39842144
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103262

Abstract

Optogenetics, an innovative approach integrating photonics and genetic engineering, enables precise control over molecular and cellular processes, opening up exciting new opportunities for precision-guided medicine. In this review, we highlight recent advances in optogenetic tools and their applications across a range of medical conditions, including vision restoration in retinitis pigmentosa via light-activated ion channels, precise immune response modulation in cancer immunotherapy, and blood glucose management in diabetes through controllable drug release. Optogenetics also plays a critical role in bioelectronic medicine, enabling seamless communication between electronic systems and biological tissues to enhance therapeutic precision. Finally, we discuss the challenges and potential transition of optogenetics from experimental models to clinical therapies, emphasizing its immense potential to transform future medical treatments.

Publication types

Review