Development of novel indicators and molecular systems for calcium sensing through protein engineering.

Intracellular calcium (Ca) is involved in a plethora of cell signalling processes and physiological functions. Increases in Ca concentration are bona fide biomarkers of neuronal activity, reflecting the spike count, timing, frequency, and the intensity of synaptic input. The development of genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) was a significant advancement in modern neuroscience that enabled real-time visualisation of neuronal activity at single-cell resolution.

Evaluating DFHBI-Responsive RNA Light-Up Aptamers as Fluorescent Reporters for Gene Expression.

Protein-based fluorescent reporters have been widely used to characterize and localize biological processes in living cells. However, these reporters may have certain drawbacks for some applications, such as transcription-based studies or biological interactions with fast dynamics. In this context, RNA nanotechnology has emerged as a promising alternative, suggesting the use of functional RNA molecules as transcriptional fluorescent reporters.

Synthetic biology and bioelectrochemical tools for electrogenetic system engineering.

Synthetic biology research and its industrial applications rely on deterministic spatiotemporal control of gene expression. Recently, electrochemical control of gene expression has been demonstrated in electrogenetic systems (redox-responsive promoters used alongside redox inducers and electrodes), allowing for the direct integration of electronics with biological processes. However, the use of electrogenetic systems is limited by poor activity, tunability, and standardization.