Closed-loop optogenetic control of cell biology enables outcome-driven microscopy
Smart microscopy is transforming biological imaging by integrating real-time analysis with adaptive acquisition to enhance imaging efficiency. Whereas many emerging implementations are event-driven and focus on on-demand data acquisition to reduce phototoxicity, we here present 'outcome-driven' microscopy, a framework combining smart microscopy with optogenetics to control cell biological processes and achieve predefined outcomes. We validate this approach using light-based control of cell migration and nucleocytoplasmic transport, demonstrating robust spatiotemporal control of cellular behaviour in single cells and in cell populations.
Authors
- Josiah B. Passmore (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7791-3439)
- Jakob Schröder
- A. Geurts
- Wendy van Straaten
- Florian Berger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3355-4336)
- Carlas Smith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0591-5093)
- Wilco Nijenhuis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7095-0955)
- Lukas Kapitein
- Vincent J. W. Hellebrekers
- Menno T. P. van Laarhoven
- Henrik G. van Hoef
- Alfredo Rates
- Ihor Smal
Institutions
- University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (NL)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- Delft University of Technology (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-12-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67848-5
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.27
Funders
- Universiteit Utrecht
- Technische Universiteit Delft
- Universität Zürich