Manipulation of gene expression of cells by LIGHT
Recently, many biological processes can be regulated by LIGHT. The most famous example is optogenetics technology. When photo-activatable ion channels or transporters are expressed in neurons and these cells are illuminated, neuronal activity can be artificially regulated by changing light illumination patterns. We have developed novel opto-genetic technologies for regulating gene expression of cells with LIGHT. In this Hakubi seminar, I would like to introduce the advantages of optical manipulation of gene expressions, and the application to biology researches, such as neural development and neuroscience.