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Phytochrome‐Based Extracellular Matrix with Reversibly Tunable Mechanical Properties
Author(s) -
Hörner Maximilian,
Raute Katrin,
Hummel Barbara,
Madl Josef,
Creusen Guido,
Thomas Oliver S.,
Christen Erik H.,
Hotz Natascha,
Gübeli Raphael J.,
Engesser Raphael,
Rebmann Balder,
Lauer Jasmin,
Rolauffs Bernd,
Timmer Jens,
Schamel Wolfgang W. A.,
Pruszak Jan,
Römer Winfried,
Zurbriggen Matias D.,
Friedrich Christian,
Walther Andreas,
Minguet Susana,
Sawarkar Ritwick,
Weber Wilfried
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201806727
Subject(s) - optogenetics , materials science , extracellular matrix , phytochrome , nanotechnology , tissue engineering , scaffold , ethylene glycol , matrix (chemical analysis) , biophysics , biomimetics , microbiology and biotechnology , biomedical engineering , biology , neuroscience , chemistry , red light , botany , organic chemistry , composite material , medicine
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.