title: Two-photon neuronal and astrocytic stimulation with azobenzene-based photoswitches.
abstract: Synthetic photochromic compounds can be designed to control a variety of proteins and their biochemical functions in living cells, but the high spatiotemporal precision and tissue penetration of two-photon stimulation have never been investigated in these molecules. Here we demonstrate two-photon excitation of azobenzene-based protein switches and versatile strategies to enhance their photochemical responses. This enables new applications to control the activation of neurons and astrocytes with cellular and subcellular resolution.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya , 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izquierdo-Serra
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gascón-Moya
authors.forename: Jan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hirtz
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pittolo
authors.forename: Kira E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Poskanzer
authors.forename: Èric
authors.initials: È
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alibés
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Busqué
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yuste
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernando
authors.forename: Pau
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gorostiza
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D011506:Proteins; D011522:Protons; C009850:azobenzene