Optogenetics and chemogenetics comprise a wide variety of applications in which genetically encoded actuators and indicators are used to modulate and monitor activity with high cellular specificity. Over the past 10 years, development of these genetically encoded tools has contributed tremendously to our understanding of integrated physiology. In concert with the continued refinement of probes, strategies to target transgene expression to specific cell types have also made much progress in the past 20 years. In addition, the successful implementation of optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques thrives thanks to ongoing advances in live imaging microscopy and optical technology. Although innovation of optogenetic and chemogenetic methods has been primarily driven by researchers studying the central nervous system, these techniques also hold great promise to boost research in neurogastroenterology. In this Review, we describe the different classes of tools that are currently available and give an overview of the strategies to target them to specific cell types in the gut wall. We discuss the possibilities and limitations of optogenetic and chemogenetic technology in the gut and provide an overview of their current use, with a focus on the enteric nervous system. Furthermore, we suggest some experiments that can advance our understanding of how the intrinsic and extrinsic neural networks of the gut control gastrointestinal function.

光遗传学和化学遗传学具有广泛的应用，其中使用遗传编码的致动器和指示剂以高细胞特异性调节和监测活性。在过去的十年中，这些基因编码工具的开发为我们对综合生理学的理解做出了巨大贡献。与探针的不断改进相一致，在过去20年中，将转基因表达靶向特定细胞类型的策略也取得了很大进展。此外，得益于实时成像显微镜和光学技术的不断发展，光遗传学和化学遗传学技术的成功实施蓬勃发展。尽管光遗传学和化学遗传学方法的创新主要是由研究中枢神经系统的研究人员推动的，这些技术也有望推动神经胃肠病学的研究。在这篇综述中，我们描述了当前可用的不同类别的工具，并概述了将其针对肠壁中特定细胞类型的策略。我们讨论了光遗传学和化学遗传学技术在肠道中的可能性和局限性，并概述了它们目前的用途，重点是肠道神经系统。此外，我们建议进行一些实验，以提高我们对肠道内在和外在神经网络如何控制胃肠功能的理解。我们讨论了光遗传学和化学遗传学技术在肠道中的可能性和局限性，并概述了它们目前的用途，重点是肠道神经系统。此外，我们建议进行一些实验，以提高我们对肠道内在和外在神经网络如何控制胃肠功能的理解。我们讨论了肠道中光遗传学和化学遗传学技术的可能性和局限性，并概述了它们当前的用途，重点是肠道神经系统。此外，我们建议进行一些实验，以提高我们对肠道内在和外在神经网络如何控制胃肠功能的理解。