Abstract

The vertebrate retinal rod cells represent advanced low-light detectors granted by nature. They have ultimate sensitivity down to a single photon level, low dark noise and an extremely small foot-print [1]. Indeed, a rod cell of about 5*50 micron size represents a self-contained photo-detector, which contains the light-sensitive element (rhodopsin pigment) along with a built-in chemical power supply (ATP produced by mitochondria). At the same time, a readout interface, which would allow one to monitor the light dependent ionic current, is accessible with several well developed electrophysiology techniques, including patch clamp and/or suction electrode [2,3].

© 2011 Optical Society of America