Deciphering Rapid Cell Signaling and Control of Cell Motility by Reverse Opto-Chemical Engineering

Cells transform complex environmental stimuli into physiological responses. In dynamic environments, or when a motile cell moves in a static setting, stimuli change over time. Here we introduce a concept, “reverse opto-chemical engineering,” which uses temporal light patterns and photo-triggers to create virtual sensory landscapes for cells. This allows us to record their physiological responses and motor behavior in real time. Using this approach, we studied cyclic-nucleotide signaling in sperm cells and mapped their stimulus-response transfer function. The technique can be employed for remote control of motility by light. Exploiting the chemotactic signaling backbone, we enable sperm to navigate in light gradients, making them attracted to light. This method offers possibilities for uncovering the mechanisms and signaling molecules behind rapid cellular computations, helping to understand the wiring diagram of cellular networks.