Abstract
Optogenetics, the expression of light-activated ion channels and pumps, has the potential in therapeutic treatments for various pathologies. Thus, it is of interest to investigate pharmacological agents, immunological responses, and disease states like bacterial septicemia to learn if light-activated ion channels and pumps are compromised. Bacterial septicemia may impede the function of light-activated channels due to direct actions of lipopolysaccharides. This study explored the effects of activating light-sensitive channels (channelrhodopsin and halorhodopsin) before, during, and after exposure of lipopolysaccharides. Lipopolysaccharide itself did not directly impede the action of LPS but varied because of the effect on ion gradients by changes in membrane potential by lipopolysaccharides.