Using light to control and investigate cell biology

It is no surprise that light plays an important role in life. With the development of modern technologies, light has also proven to be a powerful tool for the interrogation of molecular and cellular biology. Beyond its use in microscopic applications, light has emerged as an attractive modulator of cellular function. Within the last two decades, scientists have begun to harness the power of light and light-sensitive moieties to synthetically alter molecular processes in living cells. In combination with more conventional experimental techniques, this approach has allowed for the precise elucidation of many biological mechanisms that underpin development and disease. Here, I report on recent advances in optobiological techniques and their application in cell biology. I also include a novel study on the optogenetic delineation of growth factor signaling in neuronal development. Finally, I report on the spectroscopic analysis of fluorescent nanoparticles with potential biological utility.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biochemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Khamo, John S.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Zhang, Kai
• Shapiro, David J.
• Procko, Erik
• Yang, Jing

• Optogenetics
• Cell Signaling
• Carbon Dots

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2019 John S. Khamo

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105591

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/105591