The use of light for engineered control and reprogramming of cellular functions

Could combating incurable diseases lie in something as simple as light? This scenario might not be too farfetched due to groundbreaking research in optogenetics. This novel scientific area, where genetically encoded photosensors transform light energy into specifically engineered biological processes, has shown enormous potential. Cell morphology can be changed, signaling pathways can be reprogrammed, and gene expression can be regulated all by the control of light. In biomedical applications where precise cell targeting is essential, non-invasive light has shown great promise. This article provides a summary of the recent advances that utilize light in genetic programming and precise control of engineered biological functions.

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► Nature is equipped with solutions to use light to drive essential metabolic processes.
► Delivery of foreign genes enables light sensitivity to otherwise insensitive cells.
► Cells are engineered to transform light energy into desired biological functions.
► Light-regulated control has led to great advances in biomedical research.