Optical control of cell activity by introduction of photo-switching compound

本课题通过制备脂质、蛋白质和光开关分子组成的纳米复合物，并将其导入培养的心肌细胞中，实现对细胞激发的光控制。我们发现，复合物很容易被带入细胞，也在细胞内被分解。因此，光开关分子在细胞内扩散，然后与细胞膜相互作用。在研究过程中，观察到光敏物质对细胞膜结构的可逆修饰。根据这一结果，可以认为结构的变化导致离子和其他物质的膜渗透性增加。

In this research subject, we made nano-sized complex, consisting of lipid, protein, and photo-switching molecules, and then the complex were introduced into cultivated cardiomyocyte in order to realize optical control of excitation of the cells. We found that the complexes were easily taken into the cells, and also were disassembled within the cell. As a result, the photo-switching molecules diffuse inside the cell, and then interact with cell membrane. In the research process, it was observed that structure of cell membrane was reversibly modified by the photo-sensitive substance. According to this result, it is assumed that the change of structure causes to increase membrane permeability of ions and other substances.