Closed-loop optogenetic control of cell biology enables outcome-driven microscopy
Publication date
2026-12
Authors
Passmore, Josiah B.
Rates, Alfredo
Schröder, Jakob
van Laarhoven, Menno T.P.
Hellebrekers, Vincent J.W.
van Hoef, Henrik G.
Geurts, Antonius J.M.
van Straaten, Wendy
Nijenhuis, Wilco
Berger, Florian
Editors
Advisors
Supervisors
Document Type
Article
Metadata
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License
cc_by
Abstract
Smart microscopy is transforming biological imaging by integrating real-time analysis with adaptive acquisition to enhance imaging efficiency. Whereas many emerging implementations are event-driven and focus on on-demand data acquisition to reduce phototoxicity, we here present ‘outcome-driven’ microscopy, a framework combining smart microscopy with optogenetics to control cell biological processes and achieve predefined outcomes. We validate this approach using light-based control of cell migration and nucleocytoplasmic transport, demonstrating robust spatiotemporal control of cellular behaviour in single cells and in cell populations.
Keywords
General Chemistry, General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology, General, General Physics and Astronomy
Citation
Passmore, J B, Rates, A, Schröder, J, van Laarhoven, M T P, Hellebrekers, V J W, van Hoef, H G, Geurts, A J M, van Straaten, W, Nijenhuis, W, Berger, F, Smith, C S, Smal, I & Kapitein, L C 2026, 'Closed-loop optogenetic control of cell biology enables outcome-driven microscopy', Nature Communications, vol. 17, no. 1, 1087. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-67848-5