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Phytochrome‐Based Extracellular Matrix with Reversibly Tunable Mechanical Properties by Maximilian Hörner; Katrin Raute; Barbara Hummel; Josef Madl; Guido Creusen; Oliver S. Thomas; Erik H. Christen; Natascha Hotz; Raphael J. Gübeli; Raphael Engesser; Balder Rebmann; Jasmin Lauer; Bernd Rolauffs; Jens Timmer; Wolfgang W. A. Schamel; Jan Pruszak; Winfried Römer; Matias D. Zurbriggen; Christian Friedrich; Andreas Walther; Susana Minguet; Ritwick Sawarkar; Wilfried Weber is a Engineering article available to read on EtoBox.

What is Phytochrome‐Based Extracellular Matrix with Reversibly Tunable Mechanical Properties about?

Interrogation and control of cellular fate and function using optogenetics is providing revolutionary insights into biology. Optogenetic control of cells is achieved by coupling genetically encoded photoreceptors to cellular effectors and enables unprecedented spatiotemporal control of signaling processes. Here, a fast and reversibly switchable photoreceptor is used to tune the mechanical properties of polymer materials in a fully reversible, wavelength-specific, and dose- and space-controlled manner. By integrating engineered cyanobacterial phytochrome 1 into a poly(ethylene glycol) matrix, hydrogel materials responsive to light in the cell-compatible red/far-red spectrum are synthesized. These materials are applied to study in human mesenchymal stem cells how different mechanosignaling pathways respond to changing mechanical environments and to control the migration of primary immune cells in 3D. This optogenetics-inspired matrix allows fundamental questions of how cells react to dynamic mechanical environments to be addressed. Further, remote control of such matrices can create new opportunities for tissue engineering or provide a basis for optically stimulated drug depots.

Who reads Phytochrome‐Based Extracellular Matrix with Reversibly Tunable Mechanical Properties?

Author

Maximilian Hörner; Katrin Raute; Barbara Hummel; Josef Madl; Guido Creusen; Oliver S. Thomas; Erik H. Christen; Natascha Hotz; Raphael J. Gübeli; Raphael Engesser; Balder Rebmann; Jasmin Lauer; Bernd Rolauffs; Jens Timmer; Wolfgang W. A. Schamel; Jan Pruszak; Winfried Römer; Matias D. Zurbriggen; Christian Friedrich; Andreas Walther; Susana Minguet; Ritwick Sawarkar; Wilfried Weber

Publisher

Wiley

Published

2019

Language

EN

Field

Engineering (Physical Sciences)