Heart Light Illustration (IMAGE)

Johns Hopkins University

Heart Light Illustration

Caption

In this illustration, the "optrode" at left delivers blue light to the heart via a fiber-optic tip. In the enlargement at right, a heart cell (large red oval) contains an implanted light-sensitive "opsin" protein (blue oval) that works alongside the heart's own proteins (yellow ovals). This teamwork allows the cell to convert light energy into an electric kick that triggers a healthy heartbeat.

Credit

Patrick M. Boyle

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