The recent convergence of multiple transformative light-based technologies opens new avenues for pain research.

Light-based technologies allow to span across the different levels of complexity of brain functions.

Photonics approaches are very enabling because they bridge cellular approaches with context-relevant behavioral testing.

Light-based technologies can help us unravel how pain signals are encoded in normal and pathological conditions.

Multiple hurdles are being overcome to apply light-based technologies to probe the different components of pain pathways.