Newly available tool will help researchers worldwide shed light on inner working of cells
Originally published by the Faculty of Science, University of Alberta on March 13, 2017
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new method of controlling biology at the cellular level using light.
The tool-called a photocleavable protein-breaks into two pieces when exposed to light, allowing scientists to study and manipulate activity inside cells in new and different ways.
First, scientists use the photocleavable protein to link cellular proteins to inhibitors, preventing the cellular proteins from performing their usual function. This process is known as caging.
