Optogenetics: A Roadmap

Albrecht Stroh

Experimental life sciences have two basic foundations: concepts and tools. The Neuro- methods series focuses on the tools and techniques unique to the investigation of the nervous  system and excitable cells. It will not, however, shortchange the concept side of things as care  has been taken to integrate these tools within the context of the concepts and questions under  investigation. In this way, the series is unique in that it not only collects protocols but also  includes theoretical background information and critiques which led to the methods and their  development. Thus it gives the reader a better understanding of the origin of the techniques and  their potential future development. The Neuromethods publishing program strikes a balance between  recent and exciting developments like those concerning new animal models of disease, imaging, in vivo methods, and more established techniques, including, for example, immunocytochemistry and electrophysiological technologies. New trainees in neurosciences still need a sound footing in these older methods in order to apply a critical approach to their results.