Delfina Jerez researches optogenetics to control biological processes

Delfina Jerez, a doctoral fellow at CONICET and graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero (UNSE), is conducting research into optogenetics to control biological processes using light.

Her work focuses on proteins that respond to red light, which could lead to the development of high-precision biomedical tools. Through genetic engineering, specific cells can be made to produce these light-sensitive proteins, allowing researchers to activate or modify cellular activity with precise spatial and temporal control. This process is reversible.

In the field of neuroscience, this technology enables the study of neural circuits related to memory, sleep, emotions, learning, and behavior. It also holds potential for researching neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.