Book excerpt: Optogenetics represents a breakthrough technology capable of dynamically modulating molecular and cellular activity in live cells with high precision. This transformative technology made it possible to reversibly interrogate protein actions, cellular events, and animal behaviors with a simple flash of light. Manipulating the temporal and spatial profile of light enabled precise control of membrane potentials. This feature has inspired non-opsin-based optogenetics, which not only inherits the precise spatiotemporal resolution but also expands the targets into a diverse pool of biomolecules such as membrane receptors, ion channels, kinases, GTPases, and transcription factors. This book is unique because it emphasizes the design and applications of opsin-free optogenetic tools. Key Features Describes new developments in non-opsin-based optogenetic tools Introduces cutting-edge methods for precise modulation of cell signaling Highlights applications of optogenetic regulation of cellular functions Covers contributions from an international team of leading experts Related Titles Lim, W. & B. Mayer – Cell Signaling (ISBN 9780815342441) Ayyanathan, K., ed. – Cancer Cell Signaling: Targeting Signaling Pathways Toward Therapeutic Approaches to Cancer (ISBN 9781774630839) Zhang , J. et al., eds. – Optical Probes in Biology (ISBN 9781138199934)