Unlocking the potential of optogenetics in microbial applications

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2023 Nov 30;77:102404. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2023.102404. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOptogenetics is a powerful approach that enables researchers to use light to dynamically manipulate cellular behavior. Since the first published use of optogenetics in synthetic biology, the field has expanded rapidly, yielding a vast array of tools and applications. Despite its immense potential for achieving high spatiotemporal precision, optogenetics has predominantly been employed as a substitute for conventional chemical inducers. In this short review, we discuss key features of microbial optogenetics and highlight applications for understanding biology, cocultures, bioproduction, biomaterials, and therapeutics, in which optogenetics is more fully utilized to realize goals not previously possible by other methods.PMID:38039932 | DOI:10.1016/j.mib.2023.102404
Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research