Introduction to Part I: Caged Neurotransmitters

The field of organic chemistry has provided neurobiologists with the ability to release biologically active neurotransmitters at precise locations and times of their choosing. These molecules are silent before the active molecule is released by photolysis, thus allowing for very accurate measurements of biological responses when temporally accurate data is required. Some of the newest caging groups have provided the added benefit of two-photon sensitivity, thus allowing for not only time, x -, and y -dimensional precision but now z -direction as well.