Session Area Descriptions

Optogenetics for Biotechnology & Material Sciences

This session showcases optogenetic methods or applications driving advances in biotechnology and materials science. It highlights how light‑responsive systems are advancing bioproduction, metabolic engineering,and dynamic bioprocess control. It also covers optogenetic strategies for guiding biofilm formation, tissue engineering, and engineered living materials with tunable structure and function.

Biomedical Applications of Optogenetics

This session invites submissions on the use of optogenetics to precisely control, reconstitute, or replicate biological functions in cells, tissues, and other biological systems. Emerging optogenetic techniques enable high-resolution, real-time monitoring and regulation of these functions. Recent progress in therapeutic uses may cover, but are not limited to, treatments for cardiovascular diseases, vision restoration, pain management, diabetes, cancer, and immune system modification. Contributions on scaling up optogenetic systems and their potential for clinical in vivo applications are also encouraged.

Discovery, Characterization, and Engineering of Novel Light Responsive Systems

This session will highlight experimental and in silico approaches for the discovery, structural characterization, and rational engineering of novel photosensory proteins. By integrating protein discovery, AI/ML driven modeling, and structure-guided modification, these studies aim to uncover new light-responsive mechanisms which could expand the molecular toolbox available for optogenetics.

Engineering & Applications of Optogenetic Tools to Neuroscience

Optogenetic approaches for targeted manipulation of the nervous system functions have opened new avenues for studying biological phenomena and building therapeutic solutions for a range of pertinent maladies. Research on devices and real-time analytical capabilities for control of neural processes in a variety of physiological contexts is suitable for this session. Submissions are also encouraged on work aiming at elucidating cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain and central nervous system tasks with optogenetic tools.

Answering Fundamental Questions in Biology with Optogenetics

Cell biology has entered an era in which function is understood as inherently dynamic: changes in the localization, interactions, and activity of biomolecules over time are central to cellular behavior. Addressing such questions requires perturbations with precise spatial and temporal control. Optogenetics uniquely enables this level of manipulation. We invite contributions presenting work where optogenetics was used to uncover new biological insights, rather than serving as a technical demonstration.

Delivery Systems & Manipulation of Light

The implementation of optogenetic tools critically depends on the efficient delivery of both genetic information and light to the target site, particularly in increasingly complex biological settings. Recent advances in gene delivery, including CRISPR/Cas-based technologies, together with emerging strategies for light delivery such as miniaturized light sources, in situ photon production from luminescence reactions, and upconverting nanomaterials are opening new possibilities and expanding the applicability of optogenetics in this field.

Optogenetics in Liquid Phase Separations

Optogenetics has emerged as a powerful approach to probe and control liquid–liquid phase separation in biological systems with high spatiotemporal precision. In this session, we will highlight recent advances at the interface of optogenetics and phase-separated systems, spanning mechanistic studies of condensate nucleation, growth, and material properties, as well as applications in synthetic biology and cellular engineering.

Alternative Physical Stimuli for spatio-temporal control

Complementary to optogenetics, a growing range of technologies that enable the dynamic control of biological functions in response to alternative physical stimuli where optical access is limited or where multimodal control is desired is gaining momentum. In this session, we will explore recent advances in sonogenetics, electrogenetics, thermogenetics, and mechanogenetics, highlighting underlying molecular mechanisms, enabling materials and devices, and strategies for precise stimulus delivery.