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Near-Infrared Optogenetic Genome Engineering Based on Photon-Upconversion Hydrogels.
Yoichi Sasaki1, Mio Oshikawa2, Pankaj Bharmoria1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Center for Molecular Systems (CMS), Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|September 24, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed new organic hydrogels for near-infrared (NIR) optogenetics, enabling deep tissue manipulation. This biocompatible material overcomes limitations of inorganic nanoparticles for advanced optogenetic applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Optogenetics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Near-infrared (NIR) light enables optogenetics in deep tissues, but materials are limited to inorganic nanoparticles.
- Organic materials offer potential for biocompatible NIR optogenetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop biocompatible, organic hydrogels for NIR-light-triggered optogenetics.
- To overcome challenges in triplet sensitization within viscous hydrogel matrices.
Main Methods:
- Covalently linking NIR-absorbing complexes with energy-pooling acceptors to prolong donor triplet lifetime.
- Solubilizing components in Pluronic F127 hydrogels and applying heat treatment for oxygen tolerance.
- Integrating with photoactivatable Cre recombinase technology for genome engineering.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful NIR-light-triggered optogenetics using organic TTA-UC hydrogels.
- Achieved enhanced triplet sensitization and oxygen tolerance in hydrogel matrices.
- Successfully performed genome engineering in hippocampal neurons, forming dendritic-spine-like structures.
Conclusions:
- Biocompatible organic TTA-UC hydrogels represent a novel material for NIR optogenetics.
- This approach expands the toolkit for deep-tissue optogenetic manipulation and genome engineering.
