Deep tissue targeted near-infrared optogenetic stimulation using fully implantable upconverting light bulbs

We demonstrate for the first time, the possibility of targeted optogenetic stimulation of neurons deep into brain tissue (>2 mm) in a minimally-invasive way by sending near-infrared light through tissue to excite passive lanthanide-doped blue-emitting upconverting nanocrystals (UCNPs) encapsulated in Parylene C microstructure light bulbs that emit visible (blue) light and locally excite opsins with high spatial resolution.