Optochemical genetics uses small photoswitchable molecules to control neuronal activity. These can be attached covalently or noncovalently to their target proteins, which can be ligand or voltage-gated ion channels as well as G-protein coupled receptors. The integration of the resulting hybrid photoreceptors into excitable cells allows for the control of neural networks with the temporal and spatial precision that only light provides.[1]
![methyl 3-[(N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-4'-diazenyl]benzoate Structure](https://image.chemsrc.com/caspic/305/24629-99-0.png)
