A tool for manipulating gene expression using light: A principle and applications of Infrared laser evoked gene operator.

Abstract

Optogenetics is a new tool for neuroscience field using photoactive biomolecules and light, in which the biomolecules are driven by molecular biological technique and are activated by optimum wavelength. On the other hand, we developed another tool which uses infrared light to induce a target gene expression named IR-LEGO, infrared laser evoked gene operator. Almost all orgasms have a stress response to recover the damage by heat, so called heat shock response. The IR-LEGO method utilizes this system as a biological principle, while the method requires a microscope to heat single cells in vivo by focusing the IR beam. Recently, we applied the methods to clarify biological questions with many researchers in the fields of developmental biology, neuroscience and so on. In this review, I will introduce the principal of this method and applications for animals and plants. Furthermore, I will discuss notice in practical experiments, and describe weak points and merits about the method.