OPTICS: An interactive online platform for photosensory and bio-functional proteins in optogenetic systems

High-precise modulation of bio-functional proteins related to signaling is crucial in life sciences and human health. The cutting-edge technology of optogenetics, which combines optical method with genetically encoded protein expression, pioneered new pathways for the control of cellular bio-functional proteins (CPs) using optogenetic tools (OTs) in spatial and temporal. Over the past decade, hundreds of optogenetic systems (OSs) have been developed for various applications from living cells to freely moving organisms. However, no database has been constructed to comprehensively provide the valuable information of OSs yet. In this work, a new database named OPTICS (an interactive online platform for photosensory and bio-functional proteins in optogenetic systems) is introduced. Our OPTICS is unique in (i) systematically describing diverse OSs from the perspective of photoreceptor-based classification and mechanism of action, (ii) featuring the detailed biophysical properties and functional data of OSs, (iii) providing the interaction between OT and CP for each OS referring to distinct applications in research, diagnosis, and therapy, and (iv) enabling a light response property-based search against all OSs in the database. Since the information on OSs is essential for rapid and predictable design of optogenetic controls, the comprehensive data provided in OPTICS lay a solid foundation for the future development of novel OSs. OPTICS is freely accessible without login requirement at https://idrblab.org/optics/.