Session Title: Optogenetics and Photobiology

Session Summary：Over the past two decades, optogenetics has revolutionized our ability to optically control various physiological activities in vivo, such as neuron firing. This remarkable progress in optogenetics stems from the discovery of new functional photoreceptive proteins in nature. Deeper understanding of their molecular mechanisms has further accelerated the engineering of highly functional artificial proteins. In this symposium, a range of cutting-edge studies encompassing photomicrobiology, molecular spectroscopy, structural analysis, quantum chemical calculation, and the latest advances in optogenetics will be presented by world-renowned researchers. We will also discuss the future directions and burgeoning possibilities in optogenetics and photobiological studies.