Optogenetic Control of Non‐Apoptotic Cell Death: Optogenetic Control of Non‐Apoptotic Cell Death (Adv. Sci. 13/2021)

In article number 2100424, Gang Han, Yubin Zhou, Ji Jing, and co-workers introduce a set of optogenetic tools, designated LiPOPs, that enable photoswitchable control over key molecular steps involved in necroptosis or pyroptosis, including cell membrane perforation, extracellular ions influx, and cell suicide. LiPOPs are coupled with either upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with NIR-to-blue emission (left corner) or NanoLuc-catalyzed bioluminescence-based optogenetic stimulation (NanoLOGS; right corner) to achieve wireless nano-optogenetic or chemo-optogenetic manipulation of cell fate with high spatiotemporal precision in living animals. LiPOPs open new avenues to study the role of non-apoptotic cell death during microbial infection, inflammatory response and cancer immunotherapy.