| Start Date | 25.10.2022 - 16:30 |
| Location | University of Zurich, Department of Chemistry Lecture Hall Y03-G-95 |
Biosensors and actuators play central roles in biological and medical research. Targeted to specific biomolecules or cells, they allow non-invasive imaging and control of the machinery that govern cells and organisms. Recently, chemogenetic systems made of organic synthetic molecules specifically anchored to genetic tags have challenged the paradigm of fully genetically encoded systems. Combining the advantage of synthetic molecules with the targeting selectivity of genetically encoded tags, chemogenetic reporters, sensors and actuators open new exciting prospects for studying cell biochemistry and biology. My lab recently developed Fluorescence-Activating and absorption-Shifting Tags (FASTs), small monomeric proteins of 14 kDa (125 amino acids residues) that can be used as markers to monitor gene expression and protein localization in live cells and organisms. FASTs bind and stabilize the fluorescent state of live-cell compatible fluorogenic chromophores, which are normally dark when free in solution or in cells because they dissipate light energy through non-radiative processes. During this talk, I will present how these systems can be used for imaging, sensing and controlling cellular biochemistry with high spatial and temporal resolution.