Optogenetics
The use of light for perturbation of molecular pathways in
live cells, similarly to the use of light for measurement of molecular
properties, can achieve fast, spatially and temporally controlled and
minimally invasive modulation of cellular activity. Together with
advances in protein engineering, these new developments now allow us to
design genetically encoded light responsive proteins that can be used
as molecular tools to intervene in biological processes in a targeted
fashion and to reversibly modulate cellular pathways in real time
within live cells.
Nature often uses amphipathic α-helices for molecular recognition to steer key processes such as regulation of the cell cycle regulation or programmed cell death (apoptosis). Our current research is directed towards the creation of genetically encoded photoswitches to regulate (turn on or off) the pathways that lead to death or uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Photoswitchable proteins are available with very short- and very long-lived photo-excited states and with a range of excitation wavelengths. This work, which complements and extends our Intercellular Biophotonic Nanoswitch projects, is essentially basic biological and chemical research with enormous potential for translation.