A5049420148- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Plant and Biological Electrophysiology Studies
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
Center for Nano Science and Technology
2021-2025
Italian Institute of Technology
2021-2025
Politecnico di Milano
2020-2025
Harvard University
2023
Samueli Institute
2023
Abstract Recent studies have shown that bacterial membrane potential is dynamic and plays signaling roles. Yet, little still known about the mechanisms of dynamics regulation—owing to a scarcity appropriate research tools. Optical modulation could fill this gap provide new approach for studying controlling physiology electrical signaling. Here, authors show membrane‐targeted azobenzene ( Ziapin2 ) can be used photo‐modulate in cells Gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis . It found upon...
Abstract The non‐covalent affinity of photoresponsive molecules to biotargets represents an attractive tool for achieving effective cell photo‐stimulation. Here, amphiphilic azobenzene that preferentially dwells within the plasma membrane is studied. In particular, its isomerization dynamics in different media investigated. It found molecular aggregates formed water, reaction hindered, while radiative deactivation favored. However, once protected by a lipid shell, photochromic molecule...
The viscosity of cell membranes is a crucial parameter that affects the diffusion small molecules both across and within lipid membrane related to several diseases. Therefore, possibility measure quantitatively on nanoscale great interest. Here, we report complete investigation photophysics an amphiphilic membrane-targeted azobenzene (ZIAPIN2) propose its use as probe for membranes. We exploit ZIAPIN2 trans-cis photoisomerization develop molecular viscometer assess Escherichia coli bacteria...
Non-genetic photostimulation is a novel and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field that aims to induce light-sensitivity in living systems by exploiting exogeneous phototransducers. Here, we propose an intramembrane photoswitch, based on azobenzene derivative (Ziapin2), for optical pacing of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The light-mediated stimulation process has been studied applying several techniques detect the effect cell properties. In...
The noncovalent intercalation of amphiphilic molecules in the lipid membrane can be exploited to modulate efficiently physical status membrane. Such effects are largely employed a range applications, spanning from drug-delivery therapeutics. In this context, we have very recently developed an intramembrane photo-actuator consisting azobenzene molecule, namely ZIAPIN2. selective photo-isomerization occurring bilayer induces photo-triggered change thickness and capacitance, eventually...
We introduce a family of membrane-targeted azobenzenes (MTs) with push-pull character as new tool for cell stimulation. These molecules are water soluble and spontaneously partition in the membrane. Upon light irradiation, they isomerize from trans to cis, changing local charge distribution thus stimulating response. Specifically, MTs photoisomerization induces clear reproducible depolarization. The most promising species, MTP2, was extensively studied. Time-resolved spectroscopy techniques...
We present a series of cationic membrane-targeted azobenzene molecules, with the aim to understand how variations in molecular architecture influence relative optical and biological properties. 1,4-Amino-substituted was chosen as switching unit while number linked alkyl chains their end-group were systematically varied. Their photophysics, membrane partitioning, electrophysiological efficacy studied. found that polar end group is key-factor determining interaction phospholipid heads plasma...
Mechanosensitive ion channels are present in the plasma membranes of all cells. They play a fundamental role converting mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals and involved several physiological processes such as touch sensation, hearing, blood pressure regulation. This protein family includes TWIK-related arachidonic acid-stimulated K+ channel (TRAAK), which is specifically implicated maintenance resting membrane potential regulation variety important neurobiological functions....
Abstract Optical stimulation and control of muscle cell contraction opens up a number interesting applications in hybrid robotic medicine. Here we show that recently designed molecular phototransducer can be used to stimulate C2C12 skeletal cells, properly grown exhibit collective behaviour. is line does not require animal sacrifice Furthermore, it an ideal model for evaluating the pacing ability due its negligible spontaneous activity. We study process analyse distribution responses...
Light is recognized as an accurate and noninvasive tool for stimulating excitable cells. Here, we report on a non-genetic approach based organic molecular phototransducers that allows wiring- electrode-free tissue modulation. As proof of concept, show photostimulation in vitro cardiac microphysiological model mediated by amphiphilic azobenzene compound preferentially dwells the cell membrane. Exploiting this optical stimulation technology could be disruptive highly resolved stimulation.
Non-genetic photostimulation, which allows for control over cellular activity via the use of cell-targeting phototransducers, is widely used nowadays to study and modulate/restore biological functions. This approach relies on non-covalent interactions between phototransducer cell membrane, thus implying that conditions membrane status can dictate effectiveness method. For instance, although immortalized lines are traditionally in photostimulation experiments, it has been demonstrated number...
The lack of effective therapies for visual restoration in Retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration has led to the development new strategies such as optogenetics retinal prostheses. However, is poor due massive light-evoked activation neurons, regardless segregation information ON OFF channels, essential contrast sensitivity spatial resolution. Here, we show that Ziapin2, a membrane photoswitch which modulates neuronal capacitance excitability light-dependent manner, capable...
In this work, we use UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy to correlate the intensity of selected transitions onset aggregation phenomena. Through TDDFT calculations, rationalize formation H-aggregates their influence on observed changes in spectra. A correlation between molar absorption coefficient is experimentally theoretically rationalized. We develop method by considering Disperse Orange 3 (DO3), a well-known push–pull azobenzene dye with strong optical blue–green region visible spectrum, known...
Abstract Recent studies have shown that bacterial membrane potential is dynamic and plays signalling roles. Yet, little still known about the mechanisms of regulation –owing in part to a scarcity appropriate research tools. Optical modulation could fill this gap provide new approach studying controlling physiology electrical signalling. Here, we show membrane-targeted azobenzene ( Ziapin2 ) can be used photo-modulate cells Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis . We found upon exposure...
We report on the isomerization dynamics of an amphiphilic azobenzene that dwells within plasma membrane. found in aggregates formed water, reaction is hindered, while radiative deactivation favoured. However, once membrane, molecule reacquires its isomerisation capacity. These data fully account for recently reported experiments neurons, showing azobenzenes are effective light actuators modification electrical state
Abstract Non-genetic photostimulation is a novel and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field of research that aims to induce light sensitivity in living systems by exploiting exogeneous phototransducers. Here we propose recently synthetized intramembrane photoswitch, based on an azobenzene derivative (Ziapin2), for optical pacing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The light-mediated stimulation process has been studied applying several characterization...