Restoring Mobility with Optogenetics

The mobility of the leg is attempted to be restored. Optogenetics is the use of light to control the cells that are in the tissue. The patient’s leg was paralyzed and the muscle was rigid, scientists wanted to try to restore feeling in the leg and remove any pain. The reason for the paralysis was due to the lack of communication between the nerves and the spinal cord. Using optogenetics, the light would stimulate the nerves to send messages. Light is being shined into the cell and proteins called opsins would detect the light. When the opsins detect the light it causes electrical signals which would shoot down the spinal cord and to the nerves of the leg muscle.