CANDO Illustrations

CANDO Optrode and Neuron

This image shows a neuron that has expressed opsins responding to the light shining on to it.  The opsins are represented by the small spots throughout the neuron.  When hit by light, the opsins undergo a conformational change, represented by the change in colour from purple to white. In reality, the size difference between the optrode shanks and cell body is huge, with each LED on the optrodes lighting numerous neurons. The average diameter for the body of the cell is 0.02mm. The length of an optrode will be about 5mm.