Science uses light to control gene expression

Using light to control the expression of genes is a new medical discovery that receives the attention of the scientific community.

Using light pulses instead of electrical impulses, a team of researchers at the University of Colorado, Duke University and the University of Helsinki have completely controlled the internal and external cellular expression of the body. mammals. In addition, scientists also used light signals to control the level of protein division in cells.

According to previous research by scientist Jari Rossi, optical light tools have also been used to control and monitor cells in seahorses in addition to culture. And recent research is also based on this science.

Researchers believe that the precise control and control of gene expression by optical methods will soon become an important cell recovery tool in modern medicine, especially for the treatment of diseases. related to retinitis , a visual disorder.

"Although medical therapy uses light pulses to regulate, controlling gene expression for treatment lies in the distant future. However, the initial successful experiment showed that light plays an important role, Rossi said Rossi is now using more sophisticated new optical techniques in studies related to obesity and diabetes.

Because, according to Rossi, light was previously justified as an effective, accurate tool for studying, determining cell function and genetics, even though it could be improved to produce pharmaceuticals.

This study has just been published in Nucleic Acids.