Abstract
Since cells can plastically change their functions through cell fate conversion, controlling cell fate plastically and precisely is important for the efficacy and safety of cell medicines. To achieve this, attempts have rapidly increased in recent years to realize spatiotemporal control and efficacy of treatments by endowing therapeutic cells with a fate conversion switch so that the therapeutic cells can function when and where they are needed. In this article, I would like to review the historical progress of molecular/cellular biology, optogenetics, and synthetic biology, and discuss the current status of design concepts and development of signal inputs and outputs of synthetic receptors, including those developed by the authors, as well as future challenges and prospects.
