Remote optical switch for localized and selective control of gene interference.

Lee, Somin Eunice; Liu, Gang Logan; Kim, Franklin; Lee, Luke P · Nano Lett · 2009

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Near infrared-absorbing gold nanoplasmonic particles (GNPs) are used as optical switches of gene interference and are remotely controlled using light. We have tuned optical switches to a wavelength where cellular photodamage is minimized. Optical switches are functionalized with double-stranded oligonucleotides. At desired times and at specific intracellular locations, remote optical excitation is used to liberate gene-interfering oligonucleotides. We demonstrate a novel gene-interfering technique offering spatial and temporal control, which is otherwise impossible using conventional gene-interfering techniques.

Medical subject headings