Light Used to Activate Select Proteins Inside Living Cells
 

Light Used to Activate Select Proteins Inside Living Cells
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At the*University of Alberta in Canada, researchers have devised a way of activating proteins inside a living cell using a beam of light. This will allow scientists to study how the activation of certain proteins affects the functionality of a cell.

The tech**logical breakthrough consists of attaching a photocleavable protein, one that can be broken into two pieces when light shines on it, between a target protein and that protein’s inhibitor.

While the three components remain together, the target protein can**t function, but when light is directed at the cell, the photocleavable protein comes apart releasing the inhibitor and freeing the target protein.

The video below shows the photocleavable proteins in action:



Study in Nature Methods:*Optogenetic control with a photocleavable protein, PhoCl…

Via:*University of Alberta…

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