During
embryogenesis,
cells
differentiate
and
organise
into
spatially
defined
regions
in
response
to
varying
patterns
of
signalling.
A
new
paper
Development
uses
an
optogenetic
system
(optoWnt)
investigate
how
distinct
domains
Wnt
signalling
two-dimensional
human
embryonic
stem
cell
cultures.
To
hear
more
about
the
story
behind
paper,
we
caught
up
with
first
author
Nicole
Repina
her
PhD
supervisor
David
Schaffer,
Professor
at
University
California,
Berkeley.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology,
Год журнала:
2020,
Номер
7
Опубликована: Янв. 28, 2020
Optogenetics
is
an
elegant
approach
of
precisely
controlling
and
monitoring
the
biological
functions
a
cell,
group
cells,
tissues
or
organs
with
high
temporal
spatial
resolution
by
using
optical
system
genetic
engineering
technologies.
The
field
evolved
need
to
control
neurons
decipher
neural
circuity
has
made
great
accomplishments
in
neuroscience.
It
also
cardiovascular
research
almost
decade
ago
considerable
progress
both
vitro
vivo
animal
studies.
Thus,
this
review
written
objective
provide
information
on
evolution,
background,
methodical
advances,
potential
scope
for
medicine.
We
begin
literatures
optogenetic
proteins
related
their
origin,
structure,
types,
mechanism
action,
methods
improve
performance,
delivery
vehicles
express
such
target
cells
research.
Next,
we
reviewed
historical
recent
demonstrate
optogenetics
medicine,
as
cardiac
physiological
functions,
pacing
hearts
manipulating
heart
functions.
examined
that
modality
vital
mimicking
diseases,
understanding
mechanisms
disease
progression
introducing
novel
therapies
treat
abnormalities,
arrhythmias.
promising
tool
providing
high-throughput
data
cardiotoxicity
screening
drug
development.
Finally,
put
forth
considerations
scaling
up
system,
clinically
relevant
silico
models,
light
attenuation
issues,
concerns
over
level,
immune
reactions,
toxicity,
ectopic
expression
opsin
expression.
Detailed
investigations
would
accelerate
translation
from
present
studies
clinical
therapies.
Stem Cell Reports,
Год журнала:
2021,
Номер
16(5), С. 1104 - 1116
Опубликована: Май 1, 2021
Stem
cell-based
in
vitro
models
of
embryonic
development
have
been
established
over
the
last
decade.
Such
model
systems
recapitulate
aspects
gametogenesis,
early
development,
or
organogenesis.
They
enable
experimental
approaches
that
not
possible
previously
and
potential
to
greatly
reduce
number
animals
required
for
research.
However,
each
system
has
its
own
limitations,
with
certain
aspects,
such
as
morphogenesis
spatiotemporal
control
cell
fate
decisions,
diverging
from
vivo
counterpart.
Targeted
bioengineering
provide
defined
instructive
external
signals
modulate
internal
cellular
could
overcome
some
these
limitations.
Here,
we
present
latest
technical
developments
discuss
how
can
further
advance
optimization
stem
embryo-like
structures
(ELSs).
In
combined
sophisticated
tools
will
an
even
more
in-depth
analysis
future.
ABSTRACT
During
embryogenesis,
organisms
acquire
their
shape
given
boundary
conditions
that
impose
geometrical,
mechanical
and
biochemical
constraints.
A
detailed
integrative
understanding
how
these
morphogenetic
information
modules
pattern
the
mammalian
embryo
is
still
lacking,
mostly
owing
to
inaccessibility
of
in
vivo
for
direct
observation
manipulation.
These
impediments
are
circumvented
by
developmental
engineering
embryo-like
structures
(stembryos)
from
pluripotent
stem
cells
easy
access,
track,
manipulate
scale.
Here,
we
explain
unlocking
distinct
levels
architecture
through
controlled
modulations
cellular
environment
enables
identification
minimal
sets
inputs
necessary
embryo.
We
detail
this
can
be
complemented
with
precise
measurements
manipulations
tissue
biochemistry,
mechanics
geometry
across
spatial
temporal
scales
provide
insights
into
mechanochemical
feedback
loops
governing
morphogenesis.
Finally,
discuss
how,
even
absence
active
manipulations,
stembryos
display
intrinsic
phenotypic
variability
leveraged
define
constraints
ensure
reproducible
morphogenesis
vivo.
ACS Nano,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
18(22), С. 14123 - 14144
Опубликована: Май 20, 2024
Optogenetic,
known
as
the
method
of
21
centuries,
combines
optic
and
genetic
engineering
to
precisely
control
photosensitive
proteins
for
manipulation
a
broad
range
cellular
functions,
such
flux
ions,
protein
oligomerization
dissociation,
intercommunication,
so
on.
In
this
technique,
light
is
conventionally
delivered
targeted
cells
through
optical
fibers
or
micro
light-emitting
diodes,
always
suffering
from
high
invasiveness,
wide-field
illumination
facula,
strong
absorption,
scattering
by
nontargeted
endogenous
substance.
Light-transducing
nanomaterials
with
advantages
spatiotemporal
resolution,
abundant
wireless-excitation
manners,
easy
functionalization
recognition
specific
cells,
recently
have
been
widely
explored
in
field
optogenetics;
however,
there
remain
few
challenges
restrain
its
clinical
applications.
This
review
summarized
recent
progress
on
light-responsive
genetically
encoded
myriad
activation
strategies
use
light-transducing
their
disease-treatment
applications,
which
expected
sparking
helpful
thought
push
forward
preclinical
translational
uses.
Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering,
Год журнала:
2021,
Номер
23(1), С. 61 - 87
Опубликована: Март 16, 2021
Cells
receive
enormous
amounts
of
information
from
their
environment.
How
they
act
on
this
information-by
migrating,
expressing
genes,
or
relaying
signals
to
other
cells-comprises
much
the
regulatory
and
self-organizational
complexity
found
across
biology.
The
"parts
list"
involved
in
cell
signaling
is
generally
well
established,
but
how
do
these
parts
work
together
decode
produce
appropriate
responses?
This
fundamental
question
increasingly
being
addressed
with
optogenetic
tools:
light-sensitive
proteins
that
enable
biologists
manipulate
interaction,
localization,
activity
state
high
spatial
temporal
precision.
In
review,
we
summarize
optogenetics
used
pursuit
an
answer
question,
outlining
current
suite
tools
available
researcher
calling
attention
studies
increase
our
understanding
improve
ability
engineer
ACS Synthetic Biology,
Год журнала:
2020,
Номер
9(11), С. 3067 - 3078
Опубликована: Окт. 21, 2020
Bone
morphogenetic
proteins
(BMPs)
are
members
of
the
transforming
growth
factor
β
(TGFβ)
superfamily
and
have
crucial
roles
during
development;
including
mesodermal
patterning
specification
renal,
hepatic,
skeletal
tissues.
In
vitro
developmental
models
currently
rely
upon
costly
unreliable
recombinant
BMP
that
do
not
enable
dynamic
or
precise
activation
signaling
pathway.
Here,
we
report
development
an
optogenetic
system
(optoBMP)
enables
rapid
induction
canonical
pathway
driven
by
illumination
with
blue
light.
We
demonstrate
utility
optoBMP
in
multiple
human
cell
lines
to
initiate
signal
transduction
through
phosphorylation
nuclear
translocation
SMAD1/5,
leading
upregulation
target
genes
Inhibitors
DNA
binding
ID2
ID4.
Furthermore,
how
can
be
used
fine-tune
variable
light
stimulation.
Optogenetic
control
will
high-throughput
intervention
across
a
variety
applications
cellular
systems.
Cell Reports,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
42(5), С. 112509 - 112509
Опубликована: Май 1, 2023
In
tissue
development
and
homeostasis,
transforming
growth
factor
(TGF)-β
signaling
is
finely
coordinated
by
latent
forms
matrix
sequestration.
Optogenetics
can
offer
precise
dynamic
control
of
cell
signaling.
We
report
the
an
optogenetic
human
induced
pluripotent
stem
system
for
TGF-β
demonstrate
its
utility
in
directing
differentiation
into
smooth
muscle,
tenogenic,
chondrogenic
lineages.
Light-activated
resulted
expression
markers
at
levels
close
to
those
soluble
factor-treated
cultures,
with
minimal
phototoxicity.
a
cartilage-bone
model,
light-patterned
gradients
allowed
establishment
hyaline-like
layer
cartilage
articular
surface
while
attenuating
depth
enable
hypertrophic
induction
osteochondral
interface.
By
selectively
activating
co-cultures
light-responsive
non-responsive
cells,
undifferentiated
differentiated
cells
were
simultaneously
maintained
single
culture
shared
medium.
This
platform
patient-specific
spatiotemporally
studies
cellular
decision
making.
Stem Cell Reviews and Reports,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Май 20, 2025
Abstract
Independent
traditional
gametes
and
recent
advances
in
stem
cell
biology
have
made
it
possible
to
create
synthetic
embryo
models
(SEMs),
altering
our
capacity
study
early
human
development,
congenital
diseases,
regenerative
medicine.
By
recreating
key
developmental
events
vitro,
these
provide
unmatched
insights
into
embryogenesis
creative
platforms
for
disease
modeling,
drug
discovery,
individualized
therapy.
The
quick
development
SEM
research
raises
serious
ethical,
legal,
regulatory
questions
that
call
creating
transparent
control
systems.
methods
applied
fabrication,
their
biomedical
applications,
the
moral
issues
connected
with
use
are
investigated
this
review.
We
also
look
at
future
directions,
including
enhancing
ethical
frameworks,
adding
artificial
intelligence,
increasing
model
fidelity,
encouraging
public
participation.
Through
multidisciplinary
cooperation,
SEMs
might
address
problems
transform
biology,
advancing
scientific
advancement.