“Our ability to remedy problems in the brain may ultimately be limited by how many side effects occur, ” said Boyden.

Wearing a black leotard and curled hairpiece, beauty queen Bobbi Boyden shakes her hips and blows kisses to the audience as part of her routine.

However, clinical trials may begin in the next decade, says Boyden, who is involved in a company, Eos, that aims to use optogenetics to treat blindness.