Optogenetic Engineering of Atrial Cardiomyocytes

Optogenetics is emerging in the cardiology field as a new strategy to explore biological functions through the use of light-sensitive proteins and dedicated light sources. For example, this technology allows modification of the electrophysiological properties of cardiac muscle cells with superb spatiotemporal resolution and quantitative control. In this chapter, the optogenetic modification of atrial cardiomyocytes (aCMCs) from 2-day-old Wistar rats using lentiviral vector (LV) technology and the subsequent activation of the light-sensitive proteins (i.e., ion channels) through light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are described.