Team:UCL
LIT
Light Induced Technologies
Trying to reliably engineer cell structures?
Yes, we know it’s difficult.
How about adding some precision to targeting and controlling cellular mechanisms?
Our proposal is to design novel modular optogenetic control systems, with applications in a wide variety of areas, from tissue engineering to architecture. The project includes engineering of an immediate cell adhesion response using cell adhesion molecules and photoactivatable linkers for structure generation. Another application for our control system will be the production of a photoactivatable molecular tool for the precise activation of genes of interest. By targeting the genes for the transcription factors Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc we will also aim to create a novel mechanism for de-differentiation in mammalian cells. In the future, the precise spatiotemporal control of gene expression will enable reliable construction of any biological structure and sensor system.
