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Reporter genes are a type of protein-coding gene that are often tagged to a gene of interest. Once inside a target cell, reporter genes usually produce visually identifiable characteristics like fluorescence and luminescence when expressed along with the gene of interest. Thus, reporter genes “report” the presence or absence of genes of interest in an organism, determine the gene expression pattern, or track the physical location of a DNA segment or protein in the cell.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Bioluminescent Optogenetics 2.0: Harnessing Bioluminescence to Activate Photosensory Proteins In Vitro and In Vivo

Bioluminescent Optogenetics 2.0: Harnessing Bioluminescence to Activate Photosensory Proteins In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: August 4, 2021

Light-Responsive Promoters.

Maximilian Hörner^1,2,3, Konrad Müller^1,3,4, Wilfried Weber^5,6,7

¹Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|August 13, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

New light-inducible gene expression systems offer precise control over genetic material in mammalian cells. These advanced systems overcome limitations of traditional chemical methods, enabling unprecedented spatiotemporal gene regulation.

Keywords:

Gene expression Ligh t inducible Optogenetics Promoter Synthetic biology Transcription

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Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Genetics
Biotechnology

Background:

Conventional chemically regulated gene expression systems have limitations.
Recent advances have led to light-inducible transgene expression systems.
New systems offer improved spatiotemporal control over gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe available light-inducible gene expression systems for mammalian cells.
To explain the mechanisms underlying these light-regulated systems.
To provide a protocol for implementing a UVB light-inducible expression system.

Main Methods:

Review of existing light-inducible gene expression technologies.
Explanation of molecular mechanisms for light-regulated gene control.
Detailed protocol development for UVB-induced gene expression in mammalian cells.

Main Results:

Light-inducible systems overcome drawbacks of chemical regulation.
Wavelength-specific systems allow unprecedented spatiotemporal control.
A protocol for UVB-inducible expression in mammalian cells is detailed.

Conclusions:

Light-inducible systems represent a significant advancement in gene expression control.
These systems offer precise spatiotemporal regulation in mammalian cells.
The described UVB system provides a practical tool for researchers.