Imaging module for automated optogenetics

Objective

Light has been a ubiquitous source of energy and information throughout the evolution of life on this planet. Today, scientists are learning to reverse-engineer these light-sensitive proteins to “talk” to cells, programming them with external optical inputs that regulate cell functions with high precision in space and time. Optogenetics holds promise not only for precisely controlling therapeutic protein expression and engineered immune cell activity in light-accessible tissues, but also for the development of smart bio-based materials with programmable responses to light. Realizing this potential requires robust design–build–test–learn cycles with optogenetic tools seamlessly integrated into the loop. IMAGE combines programmable fluid handling with precise, spatiotemporally resolved light stimulation, enabling automated, high-throughput assays making optogenetic experimentation broadly accessible to small and medium labs and creating new opportunities across synthetic biology, biotechnology, and therapeutic development.