Optical Control of the Structure and Function of Lipid Bilayers by Plasmonic Nanomaterials

Abstract

Cell function and behavior can be controlled by light. With“ optical switches”, such as dye molecules, rhodopsins, and plasmonic nanomaterials, more precise and less invasive control of them would become possible. Here, I briefly summarize recent advance in the development of optical switches and explain how they manipulate cell function and behavior upon illumination while introducing our optical switch developed on the basis of intracellular drug delivery system.