Programmable Acceleration of Heart Rate by Near‐Infrared Light

ABSTRACT Precise and programmable control of heart rate represents a powerful approach for investigating cardiac dynamics and disease mechanisms. However, achieving multisite modulation in a nongenetic and programmable manner remains a significant challenge. To address this, we have developed an optical stimulation platform that integrates near‐infrared (NIR) light with a spatiotemporal scanning mechanism. This system enables multifunctional heart rate modulation with random‐access capability, without requiring genetic modification. Through programmable beam steering, diverse optical patterns can be generated and precisely delivered to targeted cardiac regions with micron‐scale spatial precision and controlled timing. This contact‐free and nongenetic strategy facilitates identification of NIR‐sensitive cellular regions and allows for multisite stimulation, presenting a potential tool for investigating heartbeat disorders. Furthermore, we explore the underlying physiological mechanism, with experimental evidence suggesting the potential involvement of thermosensitive ion channels in the observed heart rate acceleration. This work establishes a proof‐of‐concept optical platform for nongenetic, multisite, and programmable modulation of heart rate, offering an alternative biophotonic tool for fundamental arrhythmia research in vivo.