Photoresponsive molecular switches for biotechnology

The use of light to control chemical and biological systems with the advantages of high speed and spatiotemporal precision offers many intriguing possibilities. The field of photoresponsive molecular switches for biotechnology is emerging as a fascinating area of research for their great potential in biomedical applications as smart triggers. Here recent development of photoresponsive molecular switches for biotechnology is reviewed, where the fabrication, physicochemical properties and applications in biotechnology are highlighted, especially focused on controlling the immobilization of biomolecules on surfaces and the conformation of biomolecules by the photoswitches.

► Photoresponsive surfaces functionalized by azobenzene, spiropyran, photocleavable and photolinkable chromophores. ► Photoswitching immobilization of biomolecules such as protein, nucleic acid and cell. ► Photoresponsive conformational changes of protein and nucleic acid.