Transcript Handout

New Cell Signaling Probes:
Optogenectis
Manuela Buonanno
Outline
• Why nanotechology
• Optogenetics
• Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
(SERS)
– Applications
Nanofibers
Scanning electron micrograph of an optical nanofiber with a 50
nm tip diameter (left)
When coated with 200 nm of silver metal the tip has a final
diameter of 250 nm (right)
Optogenetics: Optics applied to
biology
• Some microorganisms produce light-gated
proteins that regulate ions flow
• Discovery of bacteriorhodopsin as ion pumps
• ‘’Rhodopsin’’ proteins family switch neurons
on and off depending on the color of the
incident light
Optogenetics
Neuroscience and beyond
• Change in membrane potential
• Excitable and non-excitable cells
Deissroth, K. Optogenetics Nature Methods 8 (1), 2011
Optogenetics tools
• Use of photosensitive proteins
– Opsin, a transmembrane protein activated by retinal, a
chromophore present in most cells
– Light-activated adenylyl cyclase, part of the G
protein signaling cascade  cAMP, a second messenger 
modulation of cell signaling
Optogenetics tools
• Use of photosensitive proteins
– Activation/inactivation of channelrhodopisn  Ca2+ channels
• Ca2+ modulates the opening/closing of specific gap
junctions
• Ca2+ as a player in bystander effects
Optogenetics tools
• Use of photosensitive proteins
– Chimeric proteins= light-absorbing domains + protein
effector domains
• OptoXRs -> G protein-mediated signaling pathways
• LOV2 + the cromophore flavin  cell movement (invasiveness)
– Activation of light-sensitive enzymes  actin filaments
formation
Optogenetics tools
• Photosensitive release of caged-ligands
– Delivery system (antibody/antigen; any ligand/receptor pair)
– Local release of a compound (i.e. antioxidants) after a
stress (i.e. ionizing radiation)
A method in optogenetic for single
cell analysis
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
(SERS) Nano-Needles
– Nanoprobes surfaces coated with gold or
silver nanoparticles
Kambiz Pourrezaei and Sina Nassiri
Drexel University School of Biomedical Eng.,
Science and Health Systems, Philadelphia
Raman spectroscopy
• Based on the inelastic scattering of photons by molecular bonds
• Upon interaction with a molecule, the scattered photons can
either lose part of their energy (“Stokes”-shifted) or gain energy
(“anti-Stokes”-shifted)
Raman spectroscopy
• The scattering causes changes in molecular
vibrations of the substance under investigation
• Viewed at a spectrometer, they appear as lines
Each compound has its own unique
Raman spectrum
Each compound has its unique
Raman spectrum
Overview of applications
• Nano mass spectrometry for single cells and in
different cell compartments
• Differentiate molecules before/after stress (i.e.
ionizing radiation)
• Measure membrane potential (excitable and
non-excitable cells)
Optogenetics for single cell analysis 1
Cell nucleus
Cytoplasm
Applications:
• Components analysis in different cell compartments (nucleus,
cytoplasm, organelles)
• Micro-injection of compounds (i.e., antitumor drugs)
Vitol, EA et al. ACS NANO 2009
Optogenetics for single cell analysis 2
Micropipette inserted
in the cytoplasm
Applications:
• Response to perturbations of the microenvironment
Optogenetics for single cell analysis 3
• Macromolecular complexes, important for
regulatory and structural functions, concentrate into
discrete subnuclear domains
• Examples:
– Synthesis of ribosomes in the nucleolus
– RNA processing in the nuclear speckles
– DNA folding into relaxed euchromatin and densely
packed heterochromatin
Pliss, A. et al. Nonlinear Optical Imaging and Raman Microspectrometry of the Cell Nucleus
throughout the Cell Cycle. Biophysical Journal (99) 2010
Intensity (a.u.)
Intensity (a.u.)
HeLa cells
Immunolabeling of subnuclear domains
Raman shift (cm-1)
Raman shift (cm-1)
Intensity (a.u.)
Intensity (a.u.)
Fixed cells
Raman shift (cm-1)
Raman shift (cm-1)
In radiobiology…
• Do Raman spectra (macromolecule
concentration) of subnuclear domains
change with radiation dose and/or LET?
• If so, do the cell return to normal
condition?
• Kinetics
Optogenetics for single cell analysis 4
Differential DNA packaging
• DNA rich in proteamines
• Evaluation of the strength of DNA protein
interaction
Huser, T. et al. Raman spectrometry of DNA packaging in individual human sperm cells
distinguished normal from abnormal cells. J. Biophoton 2 (5), 2009
From DNA packaging to chromosomes?
Laser Tweezers
+ Raman Spectroscopy
Ojeda, JF. et al. Chromosomal analysis
and identification based on optical
tweezers and Raman spectroscopy.
Opt Express 2006,14 (12)
• Order and ratio of the DNA bases for different chromosomes
are different
• As well as the specific associated proteins
Generalized discriminate analysis (GDA) of:
Chromosome #1, black circles; # 2, red square; # 3, blue triangles
A Raman spectra of chromosomes isolated from 6 donors over 12 days
B Raman spectra from the chromosomes of a single individual over 6
days
More Applications
• Behavior, olfactory and visual system, locomotion (NASA)
• Neural (Parkinson, epilepsy)
• Cardiac functions
Different Fields
• Microanalytical chemistry
• Forensic studies
• Circadian cycle (NASA)
• Microbiology
Cells - C. elegans - Drosophila - Mice, rats…
Questions?
Thank you