Recently, a paper titled “NIR-Remote Selected Activation Gene Expression in Living Cells by Upconverting Microrods” was published in the world-renowned journal, Advanced Materials (Volume 28, Issue 4, pages 707–714, January 27, 2016). The research was conducted by Professor Chang Jin’s research team in the School of Life Sciences at Tianjin University. PhD student Zheng Bin, supervised by Professor Chang Jin, is the first author of the article.
In the article, an NIR-controlled gene expression system based on upconverting rods (UCRs) is demonstrated. The UCRs can harvest the “biocompatible” NIR light and convert it into local UV light, resulting in cleavage of the photosensitive molecule (4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-nitrobenzoic acid, ONA) and on-demand release of gene carriers, thus realizing target gene expression at high spatial and temporal resolutions.
