“Using a technology that illuminates cells, we can manipulate the levels of proteins and calcium in our brains. I hope this technology, which has been developed over 15 years, can be utilized to treat degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”
Professor Huh Won-do of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) noted this during the keynote lecture at the 'Golden Triangle Life Science Open Innovation Forum' held on the 7th at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. This forum was organized as a special session of 'Bio Korea 2025' to share the latest technologies in the bio and digital health sectors and to explore collaboration among Korea, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The forum began in London, England, last March and was held in Seoul for the second time.
In 2015, Professor Huh developed the optogenetic tool 'OptoSTIM1', which regulates protein activity, in collaboration with the Institute for Basic Science (IBS). Optogenetics is a method that modifies genes so that specific neurons activate in response to light signals.
Professor Huh explained, “When light is applied to the cells, signaling between cells is activated, allowing the regulation of all cellular processes, including division and movement. This could be utilized to treat various diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders by inducing these cellular processes with light.”
Professor Huh's research team succeeded in regulating intercellular signals in living cells and animals. After applying OptoSTIM1 in the brains of mice, they confirmed that the cells were activated and new neurons were generated. Professor Huh stated, “When new neurons are generated, it is possible to regenerate damaged neural circuits, which can address issues such as depression and Parkinson’s disease,” adding, “If neurons are formed in the hippocampus, which is involved in memory, memory capacity improves, making the mice smarter.”
The depth to which light can penetrate the brain varies according to its wavelength. Professor Huh explained that blue light, with a shorter wavelength, only penetrates about 1 to 2 mm into the brain, while red light, with a longer wavelength, can penetrate deeper. When red light is applied, the calcium concentration that creates nerve signals increases, activating cellular responses.
Professor Huh revealed that this technology could be utilized to develop stem cell therapies or messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) treatments suitable for neurological disorders. However, these effects need to be verified through clinical trials involving human subjects.
Professor Huh noted, “We confirmed that shining light on the mice using OptoSTIM1 improved their memory, and there is a significant possibility of using this to treat various degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease,” adding, “I hope that through future human subject research, it will be possible to use this on humans in ten years.”