From phytochromes to breast cancer – developing new red light-sensing optogenetic tools
Heikki Takala
Optogenetics is a field of research where cellular processes are controlled with light. To achieve this control, photoreceptor proteins are rationally engineered for new purposes. Bacteriophytochromes are red light-sensing photoreceptors that are especially suitable for optogenetics. In this talk, I will review our recent development of bacteriophytochrome-based optogenetic tools, which includes: 1) understanding the bacteriophytochrome function in vitro, 2) development and modification of the pREDusk tools in Escherichia coli, and 3) application of the pREDusk tool component to mammalian cells. Finally, I will briefly introduce our next aim, which is to use our new mammalian “mREDusk” tools to induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells. These tools could eventually enable the treatment of breast cancer with red light through patient’s skin.
