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Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Spatiotemporal Control of Protein Activity through Optogenetic Allosteric Regulation
Published on: October 4, 2024
Photo-activatable Cre recombinase regulates gene expression in vivo
Suzanne E Schindler1, Jordan G McCall2,3,4, Ping Yan1
1Department of Neurology and the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, St. Louis, MO.
Abstract:
Techniques allowing precise spatial and temporal control of gene expression in the brain are needed. Herein we describe optogenetic approaches using a photo-activatable Cre recombinase (PA-Cre) to stably modify gene expression in the mouse brain. Blue light illumination for 12 hours via optical fibers activated PA-Cre in the hippocampus, a deep brain structure. Two-photon illumination through a thinned skull window for 100 minutes activated PA-Cre within a sub-millimeter region of cortex. Light activation of PA-Cre may allow permanent gene modification with improved spatiotemporal precision compared to standard methods.
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