Cell responses induced by optical control of intracellular ion

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870336
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering; Cell biology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: ASANO Toshifumi 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 助教 (30552476)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 分化 / 細胞内イオン / 光刺激

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We demonstrated that an optogenetic stimulation promoted morphological maturation and functional development of skeletal muscle cells in vitro. Optical stimulation with a rhythmical frequency facilitates gene expression and specific structural alignment of sarcomeric proteins. Optical stimulation also depolarizes the membrane potential, and induces contractile responses in synchrony with the given pattern of light pulses. These results suggest that optogenetic techniques can be employed to manipulate activity-dependent processes during myogenic development and control muscle contraction with high temporal and special precision.

Free Research Field

細胞工学