title: A photocontrolled molecular switch regulates paralysis in a living organism.
abstract: Using light to modulate biochemical agents in living organisms has a significant impact on photodynamic therapy and drug release. We demonstrate that a photoresponsive system can reversibly induce paralysis in nematodes as a model for living organisms when two different wavelengths of light are used to toggle the molecular switch between its two structural forms. This example illustrates how photoswitches offer great potential for advancing biomedical technologies.
authors.affiliation: 4D LABS, Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6.
authors.forename: Usama
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Al-Atar
authors.forename: Rylan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johnsen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Branda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects; D003500:Cyclization / Q000528:radiation effects; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D023421:Models, Animal; D010243:Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D005030:Ethylenes; C036216:ethylene