Photothermal genetic engineering
Abstract
Optical methods for manipulation of cellular function have enabled deconstruction of genetic and neural circuits in vitro and in vivo. Plasmonic gold nanomaterials provide an alternative platform for external optical manipulation of genetic circuits. The tunable absorption of gold nanoparticles in the infrared spectral region and straightforward surface functionalization has led to applications in intracellular delivery and photorelease of short RNAs, recently enabling bidirectional photothermal modulation of specific genes via RNA interference (RNAi). We discuss recent advances in optical gene circuit engineering and plasmonic nanomaterials, as well as future research opportunities and challenges in photothermal gene manipulation.
Polina Anikeeva
Matoula S. Salapatas Professor and Head, Department of Materials Science and EngineeringProfessor, Brain and Cognitive SciencesDirector, K. Lisa Yang Brain-Body CenterAssociate Investigator, McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchAssociate Director, Research Laboratory of Electronics
My goal is to combine the current knowledge of biology and nanoelectronics to develop materials and devices for minimally invasive treatments for neurological and neuromuscular diseases.