Source 1primary paper2017ACS Synthetic Biology
Toolkit/engineered optogenetic on switch
engineered optogenetic on switch
Also known as: light inducible switch, optogenetic "on" switch, optogenetic switch
Taxonomy: Mechanism Branch / Architecture. Workflows sit above the mechanism and technique branches rather than replacing them.
Summary
The engineered optogenetic on switch is a light-inducible multi-component system that converts a transient blue light input into permanent transgene expression. It has been applied to drive recombination-linked gene expression programs, including spatially patterned differentiation in culture and pro-angiogenic factor expression in vivo.
Usefulness & Problems
Why this is useful
This system is useful for experiments that require sustained gene expression after only brief optical stimulation. The source literature states that it is broadly useful for applications requiring sustained and patterned gene expression after transient induction.
Source:
we incorporated an engineered form of the master myogenic factor MyoD into this system in multipotent cells. Illumination of cells with blue light activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.
Source:
we engineered an optogenetic "on" switch that provides permanent transgene expression following a transient dose of blue light illumination
Source:
the light inducible switch was used to control the expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1, which induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model
Source:
Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature.
Problem solved
It addresses the problem of coupling precise temporal blue light delivery to durable activation of a transgene program. The reported applications specifically show control of recombination-linked expression programs for patterned cell differentiation and angiogenic factor delivery.
Source:
we incorporated an engineered form of the master myogenic factor MyoD into this system in multipotent cells. Illumination of cells with blue light activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.
Taxonomy & Function
Primary hierarchy
Mechanism Branch
Architecture: A composed arrangement of multiple parts that instantiates one or more mechanisms.
Techniques
No technique tags yet.
Target processes
recombinationInput: Light
Implementation Constraints
Implementation requires transient blue light illumination and a multi-component genetic system linked to recombination-dependent transgene activation. The evidence further indicates use in multipotent cell culture with engineered MyoD and in a mouse dorsal window chamber model for VEGF and angiopoietin-1 expression, but construct architecture and delivery details are not provided.
The supplied evidence supports blue light-triggered permanent expression and specific applications, but it does not provide quantitative performance metrics such as activation kinetics, dynamic range, leakiness, or reversibility. It also does not specify the molecular components, recombinase identity, or the extent of validation beyond the cited study.
Validation
Cell-freeBacteriaMammalianMouseHumanTherapeuticIndep. Replication
Observations
successMammalian Cell Lineapplication demo
Inferred from claim c2 during normalization. Blue light illumination of multipotent cells containing the system with engineered MyoD activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes. Derived from claim c2. Section: abstract. Quoted text: we incorporated an engineered form of the master myogenic factor MyoD into this system in multipotent cells. Illumination of cells with blue light activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.
Source:
successMammalian Cell Lineapplication demo
photomask-based spatial illumination
Inferred from claim c3 during normalization. Cell differentiation was spatially patterned by illuminating cell cultures through a photomask. Derived from claim c3. Section: abstract. Quoted text: Cell differentiation was spatially patterned by illumination of cell cultures through a photomask.
Source:
successMouseapplication demomouse
Inferred from claim c4 during normalization. The light inducible switch controlled expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1 and induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model. Derived from claim c4. Section: abstract. Quoted text: the light inducible switch was used to control the expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1, which induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model
Source:
successMouseapplication demomouse
live intravital microscopy
Inferred from claim c5 during normalization. Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature. Derived from claim c5. Section: abstract. Quoted text: Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature.
Source:
Supporting Sources
Ranked Claims
Blue light illumination of multipotent cells containing the system with engineered MyoD activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.
we incorporated an engineered form of the master myogenic factor MyoD into this system in multipotent cells. Illumination of cells with blue light activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.
Section: abstract
The engineered optogenetic on switch provides permanent transgene expression after a transient dose of blue light illumination.
we engineered an optogenetic "on" switch that provides permanent transgene expression following a transient dose of blue light illumination
Section: abstract
The optogenetic switch is broadly useful for applications requiring sustained and patterned gene expression after transient induction.
This optogenetic switch is broadly useful for applications in which sustained and patterned gene expression is desired following transient induction, including tissue engineering, gene therapy, synthetic biology, and fundamental studies of morphogenesis.
Section: abstract
The light inducible switch controlled expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1 and induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model.
the light inducible switch was used to control the expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1, which induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model
Section: abstract
Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature.
Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature.
Section: abstract
Cell differentiation was spatially patterned by illuminating cell cultures through a photomask.
Cell differentiation was spatially patterned by illumination of cell cultures through a photomask.
Section: abstract
Approval Evidence
1 source6 linked approval claimsfirst-pass slug engineered-optogenetic-on-switch
we engineered an optogenetic "on" switch that provides permanent transgene expression following a transient dose of blue light illumination
Source:
applicationsupports
Blue light illumination of multipotent cells containing the system with engineered MyoD activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.
we incorporated an engineered form of the master myogenic factor MyoD into this system in multipotent cells. Illumination of cells with blue light activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.
Source:
functional capabilitysupports
The engineered optogenetic on switch provides permanent transgene expression after a transient dose of blue light illumination.
we engineered an optogenetic "on" switch that provides permanent transgene expression following a transient dose of blue light illumination
Source:
general utilitysupports
The optogenetic switch is broadly useful for applications requiring sustained and patterned gene expression after transient induction.
This optogenetic switch is broadly useful for applications in which sustained and patterned gene expression is desired following transient induction, including tissue engineering, gene therapy, synthetic biology, and fundamental studies of morphogenesis.
Source:
in vivo applicationsupports
The light inducible switch controlled expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1 and induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model.
the light inducible switch was used to control the expression of VEGF and angiopoietin-1, which induced angiogenic sprouting in a mouse dorsal window chamber model
Source:
in vivo observationsupports
Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature.
Live intravital microscopy showed illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature.
Source:
spatial controlsupports
Cell differentiation was spatially patterned by illuminating cell cultures through a photomask.
Cell differentiation was spatially patterned by illumination of cell cultures through a photomask.
Source:
Comparisons
Source-backed strengths
A key strength is permanent transgene expression following a transient dose of blue light illumination. The system was validated in multiple contexts: photomask-based spatial patterning of differentiation in culture, engineered MyoD-driven myogenic differentiation with myogenic marker upregulation and multinucleated myotube formation, and in vivo induction of VEGF and angiopoietin-1 with angiogenic sprouting and illumination-dependent increases in blood-perfused microvasculature in a mouse dorsal window chamber model.
Ranked Citations
- 1.
Derived from 6 linked claims and 4 validation observations. Example evidence: we incorporated an engineered form of the master myogenic factor MyoD into this system in multipotent cells. Illumination of cells with blue light activated myogenic differentiation, including upregulation of myogenic markers and fusion into multinucleated myotubes.