Systems for controlling gene expression in mammalian cells have a wide range of applications in medicine, biotechnology and basic science. An ideal gene regulatory system would allow for precise and specific control over the magnitude and kinetics of gene expression in space and time, while also exerting minimal influence on other genes and cellular components. Several gene regulatory systems have been developed in which orthogonal transcription machinery from prokaryotes or insects has been imported into mammalian cells and used to control the expression of a specific gene. Despite the transformative impact of these systems in biomedical and biological research, several limitations of these technologies restrict the scope of possible applications. For example, gene expression in these systems is controlled by a freely diffusible small molecule, such as an antibiotic or steroid. Consequently, it is not possible to achieve spatial control over gene expression within cell culture, tissues, or whole organisms. This is in contrast to natural mechanisms of biological regulation in which spatial control is critical, such as developmental patterning and tissue morphogenesis. Second, dynamic gene regulation requires the removal of these small molecules, which may be slow, laborious, and/or impractical for a particular application. To overcome these limitations, we have engineered an optogenetic system in which the magnitude of gene expression in human cells can be finely tuned by photoregulated synthetic transcription factors.
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ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference
June 20–23, 2012
Fajardo, Puerto Rico, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Bioengineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4480-9
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Photoregulated Gene Expression in Human Cells With Light-Inducible Engineered Transcription Factors
Lauren R. Polstein,
Lauren R. Polstein
Duke University, Durham, NC
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Charles A. Gersbach
Charles A. Gersbach
Duke University, Durham, NC
Search for other works by this author on:
Lauren R. Polstein
Duke University, Durham, NC
Charles A. Gersbach
Duke University, Durham, NC
Paper No:
SBC2012-80573, pp. 351-352; 2 pages
Published Online:
July 19, 2013
Citation
Polstein, LR, & Gersbach, CA. "Photoregulated Gene Expression in Human Cells With Light-Inducible Engineered Transcription Factors." Proceedings of the ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference. ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B. Fajardo, Puerto Rico, USA. June 20–23, 2012. pp. 351-352. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SBC2012-80573
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