Happy to share that work led by grad students Zack Harmer and Jaron Thompson, with significant contributions from David Cole, is now out in the journal @ACSSynBio. This work developed out of a productive collaboration with the research groups of Zavala and Venturelli.

RT @CVBiomech_Witz: I'm honored and excited to share that my NSF CAREER proposal, "CAREER: Remodeling Drives Spatial Variations in Soft Tis….

RT @AudreyGasch: Excited to share our paper in @CellGenomics using #genomics and #machinelearing to dissect why #aneuploidy is toxic to cel….

RT @ShrikrishnanS: Controlling biology by light still feels like science fiction and the capabilities keep getting more amazing! .I'm super….

RT @HohenerThomas: Great first day with so much interest in our #Lumiplate! Big thanks to @AIChE for hosting such an amazing event in a bea….

RT @ChEnected: Want to understand how the tools of #optogenetics can unleash advances in medicine, #materialsscience, #neuroengineering, an….

RT @ChEnected: We've extended the early bird registration rates until July 29. Attend and enjoy a slate of exceptional guest speakers prese….

RT @UWMadEngr: "Targeting fungi is a fundamental capability we don't really have to modify microbiomes.". @UWMadison_BME’s @McCleanLab unco….

Abstract deadline extended for #optogenetics2024!.

RT @ACSSynBio: Published this week!. Dynamic Multiplexed Control and Modeling of Optogenetic Systems Using the High-Throughput Optogenetic….

@NIGMS @NSF More details can be found in the research article in the press release from @UWMadEngr @UWMadison_BME

This work was funded by @NIGMS @NSF , the Army Research Office and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

This work lays the foundation for advanced synthetic biology driven by optogenetic systems. For example, multiple synthetic biological circuit programs could be controlled using bespoke light induction programs. This has broad implications for biotechnology and bioengineering.

Using the high-throughput data that Lustro can generate, the Zavala lab built a Bayesian optimization framework that enables the prediction of system behavior and the identification of optimal conditions for multiplexed control.

From this initial characterization we were able to empirically identify pairs of split transcription factors that can be sequentially activated or are suitable for multiplexed control.

Lustro allowed rapid characterization of the response of 15 blue light-sensitive split transcription factors to different intensity, duty cycle, amplitude, and period of light delivery.

In this work, we leverage Zack Harmer's previously published high-throughput optogenetics platform Lustro and ML to enable multiplexed control over blue light sensitive optogenetic systems.

Optogenetics leverages genetically encoded light-sensitive proteins to precisely control cellular behavior in response to light. An emerging limitation of optogenetics is that available wavelengths to stimulate these systems are limited, with many systems responding to blue light.

RT @ChEnected: You are invited to present your work in optogenetic technologies, in a program showcasing advances in the field & bringing t….

Happy to report that it is now Dr. Harmer and old traditions (awkwardly sitting around the Innovation room, research-themed cake) as well as new (ChatGPT generated poetry anyone?) were followed.