  The observation of neuron-like behaviour in bacteria, such as the occurrence
of electric spiking and extended bioelectric signalling, points to the role of
membrane dynamics in prokaryotes. Electrophysiology of bacteria, however, has
been overlooked for long time, due to the difficulties in monitoring bacterial
bioelectric phenomena with those probing techniques that are commonly used for
eukaryotes. Optical technologies can allow a paradigm shift in the field of
electrophysiology of bacteria, as they would permit to elicit and monitor
signalling rapidly, remotely and with high spatiotemporal precision. In this
perspective, we discuss about the potentiality of light interrogation methods
in microbiology, encouraging the development of all-optical electrophysiology
of bacteria.
