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Cell biology

Organelles under light control

Nature volume 518, pages 41–42 (2015)Cite this article

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Optogenetic techniques enable light-activated control of protein–protein interactions in the cell. This approach has now been used to alter membrane dynamics and induce cellular reorganization. See Letter p.111

The internal organization of cells is finely tuned, and their intracellular dynamics ever-changing. This is particularly apparent in plant, animal and fungal cells, which contain specialized membrane-bound vesicles and organelles in which particular reactions occur. Studies show1 that organelles must be correctly positioned to ensure proper cellular function, but it has so far been difficult or impossible to suddenly and reversibly alter the positions of vesicles and organelles in cells. In this issue, van Bergeijk et al.2 (page 111) describe a technique that provides biologists with tools that can be thought of as light-responsive tweezers, enabling precise and rapid control of organelle positioning and movement in cells.

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Figure 1: A light touch.

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  1. Franck Perez is at the CNRS UMR 144, Institut Curie, 75248 Paris 05, France.,

    Franck Perez

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  1. Franck Perez
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Correspondence to Franck Perez.

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Perez, F. Organelles under light control. Nature 518, 41–42 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14086

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