Guiding light

ul li { font-family:"Trebuchet MS",arial,helvetica; font-size:10.5pt; line-height:14pt; } By Amber Dance Guiding light How to manipulate cellular events with the right light sensing molecule and a flash of light. Using light-producing molecules to observe cellular events is standard fare in many a lab, but it’s only recently that scientists have begun to harness the power of light to manipulate biological systems experimen

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Using light-producing molecules to observe cellular events is standard fare in many a lab, but it’s only recently that scientists have begun to harness the power of light to manipulate biological systems experimentally. By rigging a cell or protein with a light-sensing molecule, it’s now possible to alter cellular biochemistry or neural action potentials with the flash of a laser.

Tweaking a cell or organism with gene knockouts, small molecule inhibitors, or RNA interference leaves it time to compensate, potentially muddying results. But a light signal takes effect instantaneously, providing unprecedented temporal and spatial precision. Just as green fluorescent protein revolutionized cell biology by tracking light output, “these genetically encoded photoswitches will raise perturbation to that same level,” says Michael Rosen of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

But photoswitches require finesse: to adapt nature’s light sensors for your own use, you’ll likely have to optimize factors ...

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Meet the Author

  • Amber Dance

    Amber Dance is an award-winning freelance science journalist based in Southern California. After earning a doctorate in biology, she re-trained in journalism as a way to engage her broad interest in science and share her enthusiasm with readers. She mainly writes about life sciences, but enjoys getting out of her comfort zone on occasion.

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