title: Caged molecules: principles and practical considerations.
abstract: A caged molecule is an inert but photosensitive molecule that is transformed by photolysis into a biologically active molecule at high speed (typically 1 msec). The process is referred to as photorelease. The spatial resolution of photorelease is limited by the properties of light; submicrometer resolution is potentially achievable. Therefore, focal photorelease of caged molecules enables one to control biological processes with high spatio-temporal precision. The principles underlying caged molecules as well as practical considerations for their use are discussed in this unit.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph P Y
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kao
mesh_terms: D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D010782:Photolysis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017785:Photons; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D004337:Drug Carriers