Illumination device for spatial and temporal control of morphogen signaling in cell cultures

Abstract

Provided are systems and methods for spatially and temporally controlling light with an illumination device comprising a light source operably connected to a circuit board, one or more light guide plates, one or more optical masks, a controller, and a computer readable medium, comprising instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to: illuminate a cell or a substrate with light from the light source, and spatially and temporally control illumination of light to the cell or the substrate with one or more illumination parameters, wherein the one or more light guide plates provides uniform illumination of the light. Also provided herein are methods of screening using the system and / or device of the present disclosure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 847,684, filed May 14, 2019, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]This invention was made with government support under NS087253 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.INTRODUCTION[0003]Morphogen gradients are present throughout development and orchestrate the dynamic, coordinated movement and differentiation of cell populations. Spatially and temporally varying patterns of morphogens localize signaling to specific subpopulations of cells. Genetic perturbation and biomolecular treatment with pathway agonists or inhibitors have given immense insight into the key regulators of developmental progression, yet spatially-varying interactions between cell subpopulations and time-varying signal dynamics and thresholds remain largely unstudied, sin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system and method for controlling the illumination of a cell or substrate using a light source, light guide plates, optical masks, a controller, and a computer program. The program allows for the control of various parameters such as the intensity and duration of the illumination. The system can create uniform illumination of the cell or substrate, and can be used for screening purposes.

Problems solved by technology

Genetic perturbation and biomolecular treatment with pathway agonists or inhibitors have given immense insight into the key regulators of developmental progression, yet spatially-varying interactions between cell subpopulations and time-varying signal dynamics and thresholds remain largely unstudied, since such patterns of signaling are difficult to perturb and control in model developmental systems.

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