Harnessing light to control cellular dynamics

Cells, the fundamental units of life, consist of various smaller components, each serving a unique function. Notably, most cellular components are enclosed by a lipid-based protective membrane. However, biomolecular condensates, crucial for the cell's stress response, do not have this membrane. They organize and prepare repair molecules to respond quickly to cellular damage.

The Dimova group's research focuses on the interaction between these condensates and cellular membranes, particularly through the process of endocytosis—how cells engulf nutrients or pathogens. The team has created lab-made models of cells, known as giant vesicles, to simulate and study these processes under a microscope. These vesicles are integrated with photoswitchable lipids that react distinctly to different light colors, causing the membranes to expand or contract and thereby changing their interaction with the condensates.

Agustín Mangiarotti and Mina Aleksanyan, key researchers in the group, demonstrated how ultraviolet light causes the membrane to grow and engulf the condensates. Conversely, switching to blue light makes the membrane shrink, releasing the condensates. These changes are observable in real-time using fluorescence microscopy, showcasing the vesicles' reactions to light adjustments.

This method holds significant potential for medical applications. The ability to control cellular processes with light is not only cost-effective but also sustainable, making it an attractive option for non-invasive treatments. The use of synthetic giant vesicles allows for detailed study without the ethical concerns or logistical challenges of using living cells. These vesicles are biomimetic, composed of molecules like those found in human cells, making them ideal carriers for drug delivery.

The research underscores a novel way to sculpt cellular environments from within, using light to direct the behavior of vesicles. This could lead to innovative treatments for various cellular disorders, expanding the capabilities of medical biotechnology.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces